ESPN credits Taylor Swift for boosting NFL viewership like 'never seen before' in 17 years

By Rohit Upadhyay
Published on : 15:41 PST, Aug 28, 2024

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce started dating in September 2023 (Getty Images)

BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT: Sports network ESPN admitted that the presence of pop legend Taylor Swift during NFL games boosted the viewership substantially!

During ESPN’s media day held in Bristol, Connecticut, Omar Roja, the social content host for the broadcaster said, "Being in the weeds of it, I think in the beginning there was definitely a big Taylor Swift bump, especially I think the Chicago Bears-Chiefs game where she first showed up."

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: (L-R) Actor Miles Teller, singer Lana Del Rey, singer Ice Spice, singer Taylor Swift, and actress Blake Lively celebrate after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) — Actor Miles Teller, singer Lana Del Rey, singer Ice Spice, singer Taylor Swift, and actress Blake Lively celebrate after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ersduring Super Bowl LVIII (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Roja shared that Swift's impact on the spike in viewership wasn't "as big" as the season went on, but her attendance and broadcast appearance potential "definitely helped" the network's numbers, "especially when it came to TikTok."

"We were reaching fans that maybe [we] wouldn't have before," he said of the NFL games.

Swifties gushed over Travis Kelce using 'us' and 'we' while speaking about his 'SNL' cameo with Taylor Swift (@Jarrett Payton/X) — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift recently enjoyed a beach gateway at Rhode Island (@Jarrett Payton/X)

ESPN opens up on Taylor Swift's heavy impact on NFL viewership

ESPN's vice president of brand strategy and content research, Flora Kelly, also addressed questions on Taylor Swift’s presence during Travis Kelce’s games, "I've been doing this for 17 years. I've never seen this before," she said on the impact of the singer’s attendance, per People.

"But it's also helping us thrive our linear business as well. It is, again, the first year I've ever seen this, where you're starting to see culture and social media really spark that attention factor. And I wouldn't just isolate it to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift," she said on being asked about the "larger concept of sports halo" and comparing "impact on NFL ratings because of Travis and Taylor."

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 21: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the f — Jason Kelce has turned into a commentator after recently retiring from the Philadelphia Eagles (Getty Images)

Jason Kelce set to feature on ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Countdown’

Jason Kelce was also present during Wednesday, August 28, ESPN media day, as he joined the commentating team for the upcoming season.

"Do I have to wear a suit?" Jason jokingly asked an ESPN executive about his upcoming wardrobe.

"It’s tough to answer because I don’t even know what I’m wearing tomorrow, let alone what I’m wearing in two weeks," he answered.

"I’m very much, normally when I’m not at a professional setting or something that my image is representative of another company am I worried about what I wear," Jason elaborated. "I wear what’s comfortable, what I think is functional, it’s something that I want to put on, because it’s quite frankly easy to put on."

Defending champions Chiefs’ will be hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on September 5 for the season opener.

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