6 February 2024
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is brushing off the idea that Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s relationship was “scripted” by the league to gain viewers.
Ahead of the Super Bowl LVIII between the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Goodell held an annual press conference where he attributed high viewership in both the championship games last week to “off the charts” competition, and not the superstar showing up at games.
“I think 70 percent of our games have been within one score in the fourth quarter. The young stars, the older stars, the amazing performances by teams. You see all that, that’s what fans ultimately love,” he said, while conceding that “the Taylor Swift effect is also a positive.”
“Both Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people. They seem very happy. She knows great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football,” Goodell continued in comments first highlighted by Mediaite.
The romance between Swift and Kelce has gained increasing attention, particularly since the Chiefs beat the Baltimore Ravens, securing a spot in the Super Bowl for the second-straight year.
Conservative social media is engulfed with the theory that the NFL is rigging games to ensure that Swift — and the Chiefs — will make it to the final game of the season, where the singer will hand her coveted endorsement to President Biden.
Goodell, who says he’s attended two of Swift’s concerts with his wife and daughters, added the romance “obviously” creates a buzz around the NFL and he is happy that Swift’s fan base, mostly younger women, are tuning in to football games.
He shrugged off allegations that it was all scripted by the NFL to gain viewership and attention.
“I don’t think I’m that good a scripter, or anybody on our staff,” he said. “Listen, there’s no way that I could have scripted that one, let’s just put it that way.”
“She’s the best of the best, and so having her come to NFL games, have her a part of that, is nothing but a positive.”