NFL star Travis Kelce has said the league is 'overdoing' its coverage of Taylor Swift's attendance at his games. Speaking on his New Heights podcast on Wednesday, the 33-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end said: 'I think they're overdoing it a little bit for sure.'
TV cameras focused on Swift multiple times during the Chiefs' game against the New York Jets on Sunday, with Kelce's brother Jason counting at least 17 shots. The NFL also heavily promoted Swift's appearances on social media, posting a video with the caption: 'The @chiefs are 2-0 with @taylorswift in attendance.'
The league defended its coverage in a statement on Wednesday, calling the Swift-Kelce news 'a pop cultural moment' and 'an intersection of sport and entertainment'. Swift's attendance at the Jets game drew an average of 27 million viewers, making it the most-watched Sunday show since the Super Bowl, according to NBC Sports.
Swift first attended a Chiefs game on 24 September, leaving Arrowhead Stadium in a convertible with Kelce. The rumoured romance has sparked a surge in interest, with Kelce's jersey sales rising 400% and nearly 20% of tickets for the 1 October game sold after Swift's first appearance. Viewership among females aged 12-17 was up 8% year-on-year for the 24 September match.
Jason Kelce, also an NFL player, said on the podcast that the league is not used to celebrities attending games, unlike basketball. Travis added: 'There are certain things you just don't want to be on TV at all times.' ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith responded to Kelce's comments, saying: 'Travis Kelce, stop, bro you did this, not the NFL.'
