Inside Scoop: NBC Sports' Exclusive Taylor Swift Analysis Prior to Travis Kelce’s Epic Showdown Against the Broncos

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce. Getty Images (2)

The production team for Thursday Night Football held a meeting to discuss the coverage of Taylor Swift before Travis Kelce's game with the Denver Broncos for the Kansas City Chiefs.

"We discussed it this morning," said sports broadcaster Al Michaels to Sports Illustrated on October 12th. Swift, 33, was attending the game at Arrowhead stadium later that night. "We can't turn the game into a sideshow. The majority of the audience tunes in to watch the football game. While there may be a significant number of people who would be satisfied with the camera focused on her all night, it's not the majority. That's not what we're going to do."

Michaels, who collaborates with Prime Video and NBC Sports for Thursday Night Football, mentioned that the network had a plan to be cautious in showcasing glimpses of Swift. In previous games attended by Swift, the cameras frequently focused on her enthusiastically cheering on Kelce from the stands, stealing the spotlight.

"We may have a few appropriate shots, but the exact number is uncertain," Michaels explained. "If Kelce manages to score six touchdowns, then who knows what we'll do. However, our main focus is still the game itself. That's our priority. Anything beyond that would just be excessive and unnecessary."

Swift arrived at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday evening prior to the start of the game. She entered the venue donning a stylish black outfit alongside a Chiefs bomber jacket. This marks the singer's third visit to show her support for Kelce since the football season began in August 2023.

Although she made appearances at the Chiefs' matches against the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets, Swift was absent during last week's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Her nonattendance was confirmed by NFL commentators shortly after the game began.

"On Sunday, October 8, commentator Jim Nantz shared seven unexpected words with viewers: "Taylor Swift is not at the game." He noted that there were disappointed fans in the stands, as Swift had been uncertain to attend and was officially confirmed as absent for the day. Meanwhile, Travis and his brother Jason Kelce debated on their "New Heights" podcast whether the NFL was excessively focusing on Swift's presence at games."

Travis admitted that he finds it enjoyable when they showcase the attendees at the game as it adds to the atmosphere and enhances the viewing experience. However, he believes that they are going a bit overboard, particularly in his own situation. Despite the criticism faced by the NFL regarding their attention on Swift and Kelce's developing relationship, the organization denied any abnormality in their actions.

“We constantly update our bios and profile imagery in response to events within and outside of our games, as well as cultural trends,” stated the NFL to People in October. “The news about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has become a significant cultural phenomenon that we have actively embraced in real time. This fusion of sports and entertainment has generated an overwhelming amount of positivity towards the sport.”

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Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce