NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says no but is there a Taylor Swift/Kansas City Chiefs conspiracy?

Whether we’re talking about football or fantasy, there is never any shortage of suspicion when it comes to the NFL and the results of each week’s games. From the kind of money on the line to the political clout that owners of the league’s teams carry, it’s not hard to see why. Of course, that’s before we introduce a mega pop star into the mix, one who has helped the league to break ratings records just by attending games.

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and the NFL’s big business

You don’t even have to be a fan of football to know that Taylor Swift has dominated most headlines related to the NFL in recent weeks. There have been fans and players who have weighed in, as well as coaches, pundits, and even lawmakers. This is all to say that Swift’s effect on the league and those who follow it has been something to behold. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that many have begun to question whether the league is catering to Swift specifically, rather than upholding the integrity of the sport.

If you’re lost, let’s recap. The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 11th. One of the Chiefs’ main threats is tight end, Travis Kelce, who also happens to be Swift’s new partner, a fact that has dominated headlines in recent weeks. To make things clearer, Swift has almost solely been responsible for a record spike in viewership and moreover, among women, something the NFL - as popular as it is - has never seen. This has led to many accusing the NFL of giving the Chiefs a free pass to its biggest game on the grounds that it would be better than good for business. Naturally, league commissioner Roger Goodell has taken issue with that idea and has now pushed back. “I don’t think I’m that good a scripter, or anybody on our staff,” Goodell said Monday in his annual pre-Super Bowl news conference. “Listen, there’s no way I could have scripted that one. Let’s just put it that way.”

Roger Goodell doubles down on Taylor Swift conspiracy

While the league’s commissioner attempted to make light of the accusations, it’s interesting to note that he did adopt a more frank stance once the banter came to an end. To that end, Goodell made it clear that the idea that the league played a role in securing the Chiefs’ spot in the Super Bowl due to Swift’s effect on business, was nothing short of ridiculous. “I think the idea that this was a script, that this was pre-planned, that’s nonsense,” Goodell said. “It’s frankly not even worth talking about. We see two people together having fun together. That’s wonderful. I wish them well. They’re both wonderful people.”

Interestingly, Goodell still fielded questions about the romance between Swift and Kelce and how it has captivated audiences since news of it first broke back in September 2023. “Both Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people. They both seem very happy,” Goodell said. “(Swift) knows great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football. I think it’s great to have her a part of it. Obviously, it creates a buzz. It creates another group of young fans, particularly young women.” Goodell then went on to make mention of his own two daughters, both of whom are 22 years old and openly fans of the Swift. “Our girls love Taylor Swift, but they also love football,” Goodell said. “They know a lot about football. So this is just about welcoming people to the game. It’s giving people a different perspective of the game. People are talking about the game. Whatever the reason is, I’m good with it. Taylor is obviously a dynamo — everything she touches.”