Friday, July 24, 2026

NFL’s Swift Mania Starting To Show Impact Through Merch Sales, Viewership

  • Taylor Swift’s appearance at the Chiefs game on Sunday is showing its value.
  • Travis Kelce, Fox beneficiaries of the pop star’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been two days since Taylor Swift took over the NFL’s coveted late-Sunday afternoon window by attending the Chicago Bears-Kansas City Chiefs game amid rumors she’s dating star tight end Travis Kelce.

Now, evidence is mounting that the pop star’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium is positively impacting all parties involved.

The Fox broadcast of Chiefs-Bears, which drew 24.3 million viewers, was the most-watched game of the week and topped many key female demographic categories. While the overall number is down from the late-afternoon Week 3 window in 2022 — a Green Bay Packers’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drew 26.39 million viewers — Fox reportedly saw an increase in the female 12-17 demo, up 8.1% from Week 3 last year.

Data from Roku TVs shows that Chiefs-Bears earned a 63% increase in female viewers age 18-49 over the Chiefs-Jacksonville Jaguars game last week, which aired on CBS at 1 p.m. ET. 

The Chiefs’ next game this weekend is a “Sunday Night Football” matchup at the New York Jets — and Swift has a home in New York.

Kelce’s Spotlight

The affiliation with Swift is increasing interest in Kelce, too.

Fanatics saw a nearly 400% spike in the tight end’s jersey sales after Sunday’s game, making him a top-five seller in the NFL.

Meanwhile, “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” — the podcast co-hosted by the star NFL brothers — currently ranks first on the Apple charts and fourth in Spotify’s rankings, where it’s also the top sports podcast.

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

Peacock Turns Profit 6 Years After Launch—With World Cup Bump

The streaming service reached a long-awaited “milestone.”

World Cup Ignites MLS Ticket Sales, Ratings Stay Mostly Flat

Single-game ticket sales for the Philadelphia Union are up 218%.
kyle rudolph

Former Viking Kyle Rudolph: Private Equity ‘Great’ for the NFL

Private equity makes “these assets a little more liquid.”
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC Peacock play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Noah Eagle Expected to Call Netflix NFL Australia Game

The Sept. 10 matchup will feature the Rams and 49ers.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/24/26 – Mark Cuban Buys Into A’s, Raiders Sign Mendoza, Sophie Cunningham’s Meteoric Rise

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
Apr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

LeBron’s Free Agency Continues to Stall NBA Offseason

James’s ongoing free agency has lasted longer than his previous three combined.
Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Argyle High School player Grady Emerson during the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park.
July 23, 2026

MLB Draft Picks Sign Record Deals Amid Fraught Labor Talks

Eighteen of the top 20 selections have already signed contracts.
Los Angeles Sparks's Kelsey Plum (10) guards Las Vegas Aces' A’ja Wilson (22) on Saturday, July 19, 2025, during the WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
July 23, 2026

WNBA All-Star Game Ticket Prices Exceed $200, Sellout Expected

SeatGeek is seeing order volume three times higher compared to last year.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
May 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) follows through on a jump shot against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half at College Park Center.
First at FOS
July 23, 2026

WNBA Union Increases All-Star Prize Money Even With New CBA

The 3-Point Contest winner will take home $70,000.
July 22, 2026

WNBA, Union Trying to Make Peace Amid Player Safety Concerns

The league and the union will meet regularly to discuss safety.
Feb 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) is congratulated by Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) after the Heat defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-110 at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
July 22, 2026

Chris Bosh Makes Case for LeBron James Heat Return

James and Bosh played together in Miami from 2010-14.
Aug 24, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; The major league baseball logo is seen on signage near the player's entrance to the field at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Milwaukee Brewers. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
July 21, 2026

MLBPA Rejects Owners’ Draft Changes in Latest Labor Proposal

The union seeks to return the draft to its prior June timing.