LAS VEGAS – Roger Goodell and his family have a fondness for Taylor Swift. Yes, you read that right.
And it’s understandable why the NFL’s commissioner and his family would appreciate her. After all, the NFL’s popularity directly contributes to Goodell’s annual salary of around $70 million.
Interestingly, Goodell attributed the surge in the NFL’s popularity this season to what he referred to as the “Taylor Swift effect.”
So, it’s a win-win situation for both the NFL and Goodell.
US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift accepts the Album Of The Year award for “Midnights” on stage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. (Photo by Valerie Macon / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Goodell specifically credited Taylor Swift’s connection with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for bringing new attention to the league, particularly from Swift’s fans.
“People who weren’t discussing the game yesterday are now talking about it,” Goodell stated during his annual state of the league press conference at the Super Bowl venue.
Goodell also mentioned that his daughters and his entire family are fans of Taylor Swift, referring to themselves as “Swifties.”
Goodell appreciates the increased ratings and merchandise sales resulting from the sudden interest of millions of young girls, boys, and young adults in the Chiefs’ wide receiver room, or more specifically, Kelce’s Yards Per Catch (YAC).
“The Taylor Swift effect is also a positive thing,” Goodell recently expressed. “Both Travis and Taylor are remarkable individuals, and they seem very happy together.”
“She has a great taste in entertainment, and I believe that’s why she loves NFL football.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 05: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media during a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
However, there is one aspect of the Swift Effect that Goodell isn’t particularly fond of:
He strongly refuted the notion that the NFL is scripted to favor Swift and her team.
Goodell addressed this issue not once, but twice during his 50-minute press conference. Initially, he made a lighthearted remark, suggesting that the league doesn’t possess talented scriptwriters capable of executing such a plot.
However, he became more serious the second time he addressed the matter.
“Anyone claiming that this was scripted and pre-planned simply doesn’t understand what they’re talking about,” Goodell firmly stated.