Taylor Swift’s Appearance at Chiefs Game Boosts Travis Kelce’s Jersey Sales
Sep 26, 2023, 10:16 AM ET
Taylor Swift’s trip to watch Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce play football Sunday didn’t just have the internet talking nonstop. Following the 12-time Grammy Award winner’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium, jersey sales for the All-Pro tight end seemingly skyrocketed.
According to sportswear and fan merchandise company Fanatics, Kelce’s jersey was one of the top five for the NFL on Sunday. He “saw a nearly 400% spike in sales throughout the Fanatics network of sites, including NFLShop.com,” a spokesperson told The Associated Press via email.
Sales spiked on the same day that Swift was spotted in Kansas City, watching the Chiefs play the Bears alongside Kelce’s mother, Donna, from one of Arrowhead Stadium’s glass-enclosed suites.
Kelce did not speak to reporters afterward, but he was spotted leaving Arrowhead with Swift by his side. Still, just about everyone in the Chiefs’ locker room was buzzing about the news after Sunday’s game, including coach Andy Reid, who joked that “I set them up.”
Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Kelce told him “at the last minute” that Swift was attending the game but also noted: “Some things with [Kelce], he says it and you don’t know if it’s true or not.” Mahomes admitted he was under “a little pressure” to throw a touchdown pass to Kelce, who hauled in a 3-yard TD in the third quarter.
“I think he wanted to get in the end zone just as much as all the Swifties wanted him to,” Mahomes said.
Swift has always been reluctant to discuss her personal life in public, but rumors have been flying about the star and the two-time Super Bowl champion in recent months — notably after a July episode of Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast, when he said he was disappointed that he didn’t get to meet Swift and gift her a friendship bracelet during the Kansas City stop on her Eras Tour. In a later appearance on the “The Pat McAfee Show,” Kelce revealed that he invited Swift to watch him play.
Swift is currently on a break from her Eras Tour, which resumes Nov. 9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Beyond jersey sales, the NFL has also met the internet hype of Swift’s trip to Arrowhead. As of Tuesday, the NFL’s bio on X read “NFL (Taylor’s Version)” alongside a photo of Swift and Donna Kelce watching Sunday’s game.
The unexpected pairing of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at the Kansas City Chiefs game has caused quite a stir both on and off the field. Not only did Swift’s presence create a buzz among fans and media, but it also had a significant impact on Kelce’s jersey sales.
Sportswear and fan merchandise company Fanatics reported that Kelce’s jersey was one of the top five best-selling NFL jerseys on Sunday. The company saw a nearly 400% spike in sales across its network of sites, including NFLShop.com. This surge in sales coincided with Swift’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium, where she watched the Chiefs take on the Bears alongside Kelce’s mother.
Kelce, known for his tight end skills, did not address the media after the game but was seen leaving the stadium with Swift. The news of their connection quickly spread throughout the Chiefs’ locker room, with even coach Andy Reid jokingly claiming credit for setting them up.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes revealed that Kelce had informed him last minute about Swift’s attendance at the game. However, Mahomes admitted that Kelce has a reputation for making things up, leaving him unsure if it was true. Nevertheless, Mahomes felt the pressure to deliver a touchdown pass to Kelce, who ultimately scored a 3-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The rumors surrounding Swift and Kelce have been circulating for months, especially after Kelce expressed his disappointment on his podcast for not meeting Swift during her tour stop in Kansas City. He even mentioned wanting to gift her a friendship bracelet. In a subsequent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Kelce confirmed that he had invited Swift to watch him play.
Swift, who typically keeps her personal life private, has been on a break from her Eras Tour, which will resume in November. Her presence at the Chiefs game has not only boosted Kelce’s jersey sales but has also garnered attention from the NFL itself. The league’s bio on X now reads “NFL (Taylor’s Version)” and features a photo of Swift and Donna Kelce watching the game.
In conclusion, Taylor Swift’s unexpected appearance at the Chiefs game has had a significant impact on Travis Kelce’s jersey sales. The surge in sales following Swift’s attendance demonstrates the power of celebrity endorsements and their influence on fan behavior. As the NFL embraces the internet hype surrounding Swift’s visit, it remains to be seen what other surprises await fans in the world of sports and entertainment.