Saquon Barkley, champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, failed to understand the negative reaction towards pop star Taylor Swift during Super Bowl Lix last Sunday. When Swift appeared on the giant screen, she was met with boos from the crowd, which Barkley found perplexing. “I don’t understand. I don’t know why they hate her. She is only supporting her partner and has made this game bigger,” he said during an interview on ‘The Howard Stern Show’.
Support for Travis Kelce
Barkley was referring to the instances of disapproval Swift received every time she appeared on the screen at the New Orleans Caesars Superdome in Louisiana during the Super Bowl Lix, in which the Eagles emerged victorious. As the girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Swift has been frequently attending games to show her support. Barkley believes that Swift’s presence has helped expand the game’s reach, making it more international. “We are trying to expand the game and make it more international. We will travel to Brazil and possibly to Mexico, we will soon be in Australia, and that she is part of it only makes this bigger, so I don’t understand the disdain she is receiving,” he pointed out.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship
The relationship between Swift and Kelce began in September 2023. Since then, the singer has been regularly attending Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs, to support her boyfriend. One of the most emotional moments the couple shared in public was at the end of Super Bowl LVIII last year, where the Chiefs defeated the 49ers. On that occasion, Swift and Kelce celebrated the victory with a kiss on the field, surrounded by a shower of colored papers.
Impact on NFL and Chiefs Profits
Thanks to Swift’s massive popularity, the NFL and the Chiefs have seen a significant growth in their marketing profits, exceeding $300 million. Clark Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, acknowledged the team’s growth in followers, particularly among younger female fans. “I think we had something like a 30 percent growth in our fans base, particularly among younger female fans, which is significant. So you definitely have to give Taylor a little credit for that,” Hunt said. This growth can be attributed to Swift’s influence, making her a valuable asset to the team and the league as a whole.