Monday, June 1, 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

Lee Corso puts on the Brutus helmet as he makes his final pick between Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
exclusive

Pat McAfee in Early Extension Talks With ESPN

McAfee’s current five-year deal with ESPN isn’t up until 2028.

Myles Garrett Trade Makes All-In Rams an Even Bigger TV Draw

The Super Bowl LXI favorite goes even more all-in.

Indiana’s Bears Stadium Bid Gets More Real After Illinois Misses Chance

Recriminations rise as Illinois leaders fail to ratify a Bears stadium bill.
Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
exclusive

Russell Wilson Expected to Join CBS NFL Studio

Wilson’s NFL career included 10 Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl championship.

Featured Today

Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.

MLBPA Says Owners’ Salary Cap Would Cut Player Pay by $500M

The union again decries management’s push to implement a salary cap.
May 21, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) walks the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter of game two of the eastern conference finals during the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden
June 1, 2026

NBA Finals Tickets at MSG Push $40,000

Prices are rising even more as the Knicks-Spurs matchup is set.
June 1, 2026

Iconic Venues Are Becoming the New Normal for Women’s Golf

The 2023 U.S. Women’s Open was played at Pebble Beach for the first time.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
May 31, 2026

French Open Will Crown First-Time Men’s and Women’s Champs

The men’s side will have a first-time Grand Slam winner.
May 31, 2026

Champions League Fallout: Prize Money, Ill-Timed Arsenal Parade

Arsenal’s Premier League victory parade came one day after losing to PSG.
May 30, 2026

Spurs Shock Thunder to Punch Ticket to NBA Finals Against Knicks

The NBA Finals will be a rematch of the 1999 matchup.
May 27, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) after the win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
May 29, 2026

MLB Labor Talks Face Long Road and Certain Change

The initial salvos reinforced how differently owners and players view the sport.