• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 23, 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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Could Rex Ryan Return to NFL After Decade at ESPN?

New Giants coach John Harbaugh floated hiring the ESPN personality.

NFL Playoff Ratings Surge As NBC, ESPN Set Network Records

Both NBC and ESPN set network records with their Sunday playoff games.

Winter Storm Is Disrupting Sports, but NFL Could See a TV Boost

A growing collection of teams and leagues are cancelling and postponing games.
NFLPA

NFLPA Fired Lawyer Who Accused It of Retaliation

The firing was disclosed in a previously unreported court filing.

Featured Today

Sports Goes All In on Non-Alcoholic Drinks Boom

Athletes, teams, and leagues are pouring money into the NA beverage category.
Tulsa Portal House
January 16, 2026

Inside the Tulsa Portal House: ‘This Will Translate to Wins’

The Golden Hurricane set up an over-the-top battle station for football recruiting.
Black Rabbit
January 10, 2026

The Netflix Star Who Makes Sure NBA Players Have Clean Towels

How a Nets staffer landed a breakout role on “Black Rabbit.”
January 9, 2026

NHL Ditched Its Dress Code. Hockey’s Fashion Era Arrived Quickly

With no dress code, impeccably dressed players are seeing big-money deals.
exclusive

Molly Qerim Hosting Zuffa Boxing in First Post-ESPN Job

The move reunites her with former ESPN colleague Max Kellerman.
January 22, 2026

Australian Open Fans Struggle With ESPN’s Tiered Streaming

Watching all the matches online requires the highest tier of ESPN’s service.
January 22, 2026

CFP Title Game Draws 30.1M Viewers, Most-Watched Since 2015

Viewership surges 36% for the Hoosiers’ win to seal an undefeated season.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
Dec 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Charles Barkley interviews Kentucky Wildcats forward Mouhamed Dioubate after the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
January 22, 2026

Charles Barkley Wants Balanced Schedule for ‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN

“We’ve only been on ESPN four times in three months.”
January 21, 2026

NFL Divisional Round Ratings Open With Record High—and a Dip

CBS generated the biggest Saturday audience on U.S. television in 32 years.
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'quan McMillian reaches in on Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks who has the ball and whose knee is on the ground during overtime at Empower FIeld at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Jan. 17, 2026.
opinion
January 21, 2026

NFL Should Make Refs Full-Time Employees

The league’s CBA with the NFL Referees Association expires in May.
January 20, 2026

Former NBC Reporter Michele Tafoya Files to Run for Senate

Former NBC and ESPN reporter Michele Tafoya has filed to run for Senate.