Taylor Swift is one of the major storylines heading into Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
The record-breaking pop sensation is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She’s been a major figure at his games since the two started going with one another last year.
Whether it represents strange bedfellows (no pun intended) or something else, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell opened up about the Swift effect on the NFL. In speaking from the site of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Monday, Goodell indicated that “having the Taylor Swift effect is positive.”
“She knows great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football. Besides Travis, she’s a football fan,” Goodell continued.
When asked about whether the NFL is scripted in having the biggest international music sensation as one of the major storylines heading into the Super Bowl, Goodell responded in kind.
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Conspiracy theories aside, Swift’s involvement in the NFL has been nothing but positive for the growing brand of the league.
A recent report indicated that Swift’s involvement with the league has created $331.5 million of brand value. As of right now, at least 50% of NFL fans are females. Swift’s involvement can be seen as a major part in that uptick.
As for Goodell, he said that he went to two Swift concerts last year and that her presence at games have opened up the league to new fans.
She is “the best of the best” Goodell told reporters.
So, there you have it. The NFL’s top dog pushing back against certain narratives while fawning all over Swift. Yeah, this is a new era of professional football. That’s for sure.