Wednesday, September 30, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

NFL, Kelce At Odds On Taylor Swift Coverage

  • Travis Kelce says the NFL is overdoing the hype around his relationship with Taylor Swift.
  • Chiefs-Jets drew 27 million viewers on NBC with Swift in attendance.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Is there no such thing as too much publicity?

The relationship between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift has turned the NFL into a pop culture media circus since the pop superstar first attended the Kansas City Chiefs-Chicago Bears game at Arrowhead Stadium two weeks ago.

But after NBC cut away to Taylor Swift 17 times during the Chiefs-Jets “Sunday Night Football” broadcast and showed two commercials for her new movie, the man at the center of it all believes the hype may be getting too big.

“They’re overdoing it a little bit for sure, especially my situation,” Kelce said on “New Heights,” the podcast he co-hosts with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. 

The Chiefs-Jets game drew 27 million viewers, making it the most-watched Sunday broadcast since Super Bowl LVII in February. NBC drew about 2 million more female viewers than its season average so far for “SNF.”

The Chiefs play at Minnesota on Sunday, then two more home games, and finally a matchup at Denver before Swift begins the international leg of The Eras Tour on Nov. 9. It remains to be seen whether she will attend any more of Kelce’s games this season.

Musical Chairs

The Swift-Kelce hype has already gotten so big that the NFL has had to defend its promotion of the relationship.

“The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport,” the league said in a statement.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Presidents Cup Comeback Delivers Viewership Boost for NBC

NBC drew two million viewers for the final round.

NFL Brazil Game Nabs Record Audience

CBS said that the game averaged 24.9 million viewers.
First at FOS

DHS Leaves Video of Brian Dawkins Up Despite NFL Request

Two posts featuring Dawkins were still up Monday afternoon.

Sunday’s Biggest NFL Games Plagued by Debatable Calls

There’s no obvious solution for judgment calls.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/30/26 – Man City Found Guilty, NBA’s $12B Vegas Race, College Sports Bill Passes

0:00

Featured Today

Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) during a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026.

College Football Viewership Down 11% Through September vs. 2025

FBS game broadcasts are averaging 1.7 million viewers.
Dec 29, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; The Sacramento Kings logo on the shorts of forward Domantas Sabonis (10) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena.
September 29, 2026

Kings Reporters Caught Discussing Player Attractiveness on Hot Mic

The incident took place at the Kings’ media day on Monday.
Jun 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Spectrum SportsNet LA play-by-play announcer Joe Davis watches batting practice before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
September 29, 2026

Joe Davis Still Has Vin Scully’s Advice ‘Ringing in My Ears’

Davis is preparing to call his fifth World Series for Fox.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Sep 22, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees injured right fielder Aaron Judge (99) watches from the dugout during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
September 29, 2026

NBC Sports Loses Star Draw With Aaron Judge Out for Wild-Card Series

Judge had previously insisted he would be able to play.
Aug 28, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) throws to first for a double play against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images
September 28, 2026

How NBC Sports Is Approaching Its First MLB Postseason in 26 Years

The network will have its first MLB postseason presence since 2000.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; NBC broadcast analyst Mike Tomlin before the game between Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
September 28, 2026

Mike Tomlin Breaks With Coaching Fraternity in Cowboys Analysis

Tomlin questioned the Cowboys’ decision-making in their loss vs. Baltimore.
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michelle Beadle on the Sirius XM Mad Dog Sports radio set at the Super Bowl 58 media center at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
September 25, 2026

Michelle Beadle Joining Matthew Berry’s Roku Show

The new show will debut on Monday.