Taylor and Travis - Pop Star Hits and Football Blitz

Teri Ward | December 29, 2023 at 9:04 AM

Mixing Fame And Game

Welcome back to the HB Blog, where we cater to the passions of both die-hard sports fans and fervent pop culture enthusiasts. We’re about to embark on a journey that seamlessly intertwines touchdowns, the magnetism of a pop music superstar, and even a sprinkle of romance. Our focal point is none other than the NFL, widely regarded as the undisputed monarch of American sports and a pop music superstar who is a genuine American icon and success story.

It's a story that extends beyond the boundaries of the playing field, revealing the extraordinary strategies and narratives that make the NFL a true phenomenon in American culture, while demonstrating the unique appeal of America’s biggest pop music superstar. In this blog, Hollywood Branded reviews a riveting tale showcasing how the two seemingly disparate worlds of the NFL and pop music have come together to captivate the hearts and minds of millions, proving that it's not just about sports or music, but also the harmonious blend of two cultural powerhouses.

Photo illustration by Slate. Images via Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, Hector Vivas/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management and marigold_88/iStock/Getty Images Plus.

SWIFT TOUCHDOWN: A GAME-CHANGING MOMENT

Let's start with the megastar, Taylor Swift. You've maybe heard that the NFL is continually on the lookout for new ways to expand its fanbase. Well, something extraordinary occurred when Taylor Swift graced the stands of Kansas City Chiefs games. Swift, with her massive fan following known as the "Swifties," brought a whole new dimension to the game. Her presence turned watching football into a social event, drawing in fans from both the sports and music worlds.

Now, here's where things get interesting. Rumors were swirling about Taylor Swift's connection with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce, an eight-time all-pro with two Super Bowl championship rings. And on September 24, 2023, those speculations were confirmed when Swift was spotted at Arrowhead Stadium alongside Kelce's mother. The TV cameras couldn't get enough of her cheering in the luxury suite. And this wasn't Swift's first rodeo at the stadium; she had performed there during her blockbuster Eras Tour earlier.

ratings, rankings, and record sales

Swift's appearances at Chiefs games not only set the stands buzzing but also created a ripple effect. First up, fanatics reported a staggering 400% spike in Kelce's jersey sales, catapulting him into the top 5 players in the NFL. Kelce's podcast, "New Heights," co-hosted with his brother Jason, the center for the NFL Philadelphia Eagles, shot up to the number one spot on Apple's charts. And not for nothing, Kelce's Instagram account saw a whopping addition of 383,000 new followers.

Jason HannaGetty Jason Hanna/Getty

Stubhub, the ticketing platform, saw a threefold increase in Chiefs ticket searches. And the Chiefs themselves sold more tickets in a single season than they had since the start of 2023. According to Taboola, Swift and Kelce dominated the list of most-read-about entertainment topics, with Swift at number one and Kelce at number two.

But it's not just about jersey sales and social media followers. Swift's appearance had a direct impact on the ratings. The game at Arrowhead Stadium, dubbed "America's Game of the Week," averaged a staggering 24.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched TV program of the week.

Taylor wasn't done yet. She was back in attendance on October 1 when Kansas City played the New York Jets in New Jersey's Meadowlands on NBC's Sunday Night Football. The game saw the Chiefs securing a win against the Jets, and the presence of the pop sensation had fans flocking to get a glimpse. As a result, online ticket prices soared by 40%, making it quite the hot ticket.

NBC didn't miss the opportunity and frequently showed her during the game. The result? An average of 27 million viewers on NBC and digital platforms, making it the second most-watched NFL game of the season. In fact, Sunday Night Football's ratings saw a significant boost among female teens, women aged 18 to 24, and women aged 35 and older.

It's true that no one is as famous as Taylor Swift, and even a juggernaut like the NFL seemed a little starstruck by her decision to show up at the games. On TikTok, the NFL changed its bio to read, “Taylor was here.” On X, (formerly known as Twitter), the NFL’s account posted gleefully about Taylor’s activities at the game, which included chest-bumping someone else in the box and yelling “Let’s fucking go!” ESPN and many other sports outlets covered it all.

And the memes, people. The memes!

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a winning relationship

Is this a calculated publicity move or a result of Cupid’s arrow? I suppose those in the inner circle of these two stars can genuinely answer that question. But from a bigger perspective, this creates a win-win situation for both the NFL and Taylor Swift. While the NFL gets a fresh injection of younger fans and viewers, Swift's connection with football also adds to her global dominance. Her Eras Tour has been raking in millions, and Forbes reported her tour earnings at $92 million. Bloomberg reports that her personal net worth is in the $1 billion range, and estimates that her 53 US concerts this year added $4.3 billion to this country's gross domestic product.

Taylor Swift is breaking box office records too with the release of her concert film, "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour." It generated more than $120 million during its opening weekend in October 2023. Swift's global concert tour continues, making stops in Europe, Asia, and Australia, before returning to North America in 2024.

in kelce's corner

Let's not forget Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' tight end. A future Hall of Famer, Kelce is not just making waves on the field but also in the world of endorsements. He's the face of brands like Bud Light, Pfizer, DirecTV, Sleep Number, Experian, and McDonald's. His endorsements bring in an extra $3 million, adding to his estimated net worth of $40 million.

And when Kelce's playing days are over, he's got his sights set on the entertainment industry. From hosting dating competition shows to appearing on Saturday Night Live, Kelce is poised for a career beyond the gridiron. The media buzz around his relationship with Taylor Swift is only going to make him more of a household name.

mixing fame and game

I recently had a conversation with Hollywood Branded’s CEO Stacy Jones about this relationship. The public has followed Taylor Swift’s romantic relationships since she burst onto the scene at the tender age of 17. We’ve seen her involved with short- and long-term partnerships, some high profile and others more below the radar (resulting in the creation of some pretty great music).

Stacy made an intriguing observation: Taylor is at the top of her game as an artist, cultural icon, and businesswoman (you go girl). And in Kelce, a superstar of his sport, she’s found not only a professional equal but also an individual who can be both her peer and her personal hero. Taylor has proven a great deal to the world and taken not only the entertainment industry but global economies by storm. Now at the age of 33, is Taylor ready to embark on a long-term personal relationship?

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Could Taylor Swift have found her person in someone like Travis Kelce? Or is this another shrewd promotional move? I’ll readily admit I’m pulling for the former. I believe that the career/home happy balance is a great thing for anybody – even superstars on the musical stage and the gridiron.

So, there you have it, a fascinating story of how the NFL, Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce are teaming up to create a winning recipe that's capturing the attention of fans old and new. With star power, romance, and strategic marketing, it's clear that football is about much more than just touchdowns. In a radio interview Bill Belichick, the longtime head coach of the New England Patriots quipped, “Well, I would say that Travis Kelce has had a lot of big catches in his career. This would be the biggest."

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