Tuesday, June 30, 2026

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

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

Boston’s Rocky World Cup Still Delivered Tournament Classics

Scotland, a knockout thriller, and America250 are making up for difficult preparations.

Comcast’s NBCUniversal Split Could Give the NFL More Leverage

The forthcoming split will reverberate throughout the entire media business.
Jun 28, 2026; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Viktor Hovland follows his drive on the 1st hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: John Dufour-Imagn Images

NBC Misses First Hour of Red Sox–Yankees Amid PGA Tour Delay

The Travelers Championship experienced a weather delay on Sunday.

After NFL and CFL Say No, UFL May Be Sorsby’s Best Option

The UFL appeared to confirm Sorsby would be eligible.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Mia Hamm on the World Cup, NWSL Growth, Angel City Ownership, and Women’s Sports Narratives

0:00

Featured Today

June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Rob Stone speaks during the Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff NCAA football pregame show, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Pentacrest in Iowa City, Iowa.

A Bandwagoner’s Guide to the USMNT World Cup Run

Rob Stone breaks down the Americans’ outlook ahead of Wednesday.
Aug 12, 2021; Dyersville, Iowa, USA; Movie actor Kevin Costner leaves the field before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Field of Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
June 29, 2026

Elle Duncan Wants Kevin Costner on Netflix ‘Field of Dreams’ Game

Netflix will stream the game Aug. 13.
May 1, 2026; Louisville, KY, USA; Dave Portnoy walks and gives a thumbs up to his fans during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Scott Utterback/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
June 29, 2026

Dave Portnoy Discusses His Book, Barstool’s Talent Pipeline

Portnoy also addressed his relationship with the Big Ten.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
June 29, 2026

Comcast Reverses Course, Will Spin Off NBCUniversal

The dramatic plan entirely flips the company’s position from five months ago.
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 29, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during his first round match against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic REUTERS/Toby Melville
June 29, 2026

Tennis Stars Stand Down on Wimbledon Media Protests

Jannik Sinner is reportedly considering boycotting the US Open Mixed Doubles.
Jun 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) against the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Exclusive
June 29, 2026

WNBA Star Chelsea Gray to Join Prime Video As Player Contributor

Gray is the latest active player to join the media.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
June 26, 2026

Ex-SportsCenter Anchor Max McGee Breaks Silence on ESPN Firing

McGee said he was fired following an HR investigation.