Kansas City, September 29, 2023 – Taylor Swift made headlines once again when Fox network’s request to feature her music during the Kansas City Chiefs game to support Travis Kelce was allegedly denied by her record label and publishing company.
The buzz surrounding Swift’s possible presence at Arrowhead Stadium for the Sunday, September 24th game against the Bears had Fox seeking permission to incorporate her songs into their broadcast. However, their hopes were dashed when they were allegedly denied the rights to her music due to concerns regarding the ongoing speculation about Swift’s personal and dating life.
Richie Zyons, the lead producer of NFL on Fox, detailed this intriguing twist in a recent blog post on FoxSports.com. According to Zyons, their bulldog associate producer Rich Gross had made efforts earlier in the week to secure permission to use some of Swift’s chart-toppers but was met with an unequivocal “Not a chance.”
The decision to withhold permission reportedly came from Swift’s record label and publishing company, who expressed reservations “in conjunction with speculations on or about her private/personal/dating life.” This move left Fox searching for alternative ways to make the most of Swift’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium.
Swift’s surprise presence at the game, donning a Chiefs windbreaker and her trademark red lipstick, sent fans and viewers into a frenzy. Her enthusiastic support for Travis Kelce, which included an energetic chest bump after he scored a touchdown, contributed to the Chiefs’ resounding victory over the Bears, with a final score of 41-10.
Despite being unable to feature Swift’s music, Fox Sports creatively spotlighted her involvement at Arrowhead Stadium. Zyons explained how they strategically captured moments when Swift was reacting to game action, carefully avoiding gratuitous live shots and focusing on the game’s excitement. The result was a captivating visual narrative that showcased Swift’s genuine enthusiasm for the game.
Following the Chiefs’ triumph, Swift was seen leaving the stadium with Travis Kelce in a striking purple convertible, en route to a private afterparty to celebrate with the rest of the team. Candid photos obtained by TMZ depicted Swift wrapping her arm around the star tight end while engaging with other attendees.
While speculation about Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship continues to captivate fans and the NFL community, an exclusive source informed Us Weekly that the two have only met on a few occasions. According to the insider, “Taylor and Travis met shortly after he tried giving her his phone number at her show earlier this summer. They’ve only hung out twice.”
Their initial meeting took place during Swift’s Eras Tour in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. Kelce had attempted to gift her a DIY friendship bracelet containing his phone number, but the opportunity for conversation didn’t arise before or after the concert. Subsequently, Kelce extended an invitation for Swift to witness his on-field performance, which she gladly accepted, attending a game just three days later.
Reflecting on Taylor Swift’s surprise appearance, Travis Kelce expressed his appreciation on his “New Heights” podcast episode aired on September 27, stating, “Shout-out to Taylor for pulling up. That was pretty ballsy,” and amusingly mentioning the reactions of players and fans alike.
He further added, “I just thought it was awesome that everybody in the suite had nothing but great things to say about her. The friends and family. She looked amazing … and on top of that, the day went perfect for Chiefs fans. We script it all, ladies and gentlemen,” teasingly asserting, “It was absolutely electric.”
While the budding friendship between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce continues to pique curiosity, one thing remains certain: Swift’s presence at Arrowhead Stadium left an indelible mark on Chiefs fans and football enthusiasts, adding a unique chapter to the ongoing saga of her eventful life.