Taylor Swift’s influence on NFL ratings was on full display this past season, frequently boosting ratings when in attendance to watch her boyfriend Travis Kelce on the field. This has led to some NFL fans accusing the league of factoring in Swift’s impact when making their 2024-25 season schedule.
The Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled for four primetime games this coming season, two Sunday Night Football games and two Monday Night Football games. They also received games on Black Friday and Christmas Day, where they will be highlighted.
In addition, the Chiefs will take part in five nationally televised afternoon games. This means that over half of the team’s games will in one way or another be viewed by a national audience.
It’s understandable for the NFL to want the Chiefs to be showcased so much considering they are back-to-back Super Bowl champions. But could there be a bigger motive at play involving the league showing Taylor Swift as much as possible?
According to NFL VP of Broadcast Planning Mike North, the answer is no. In an conversation with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he said that Swift was not a factor whatsoever in the schedule.
“She had a bigger influence in my niece Gabby’s Bat Mitzvah last weekend,” said North. It was Gabby’s version, so there was a lot of Taylor being played at the Bat Mitzvah. Did the NFL strategically try to schedule Chiefs games near her tour dates so she could attend? I promise you, no.”
Whatever the case may be, Swift should be in attendance for plenty of national Chiefs games next year. So whether it was planned or not, the NFL may have lucked into even more Swift coverage to help ratings.
