Swift’s romances have experienced various levels of visibility. The summer of Hiddleswift, complete with “I Heart TS” tees and an extensively documented beach party, inspired more giggles than heart eyes. With Alwyn, Swift’s partner for six years, the pair were exceedingly private, rejecting rec carpet hand holding and fawning cover quotes for magazine profiles. It was a good fit for Swift at a time when her reputation had taken a dent and her music became more folksy and introspective.
Now, however, she’s in her icon era, and that calls for a boyfriend to match. Kelce has more than stepped up to the plate. It’s not just his dapper on-stage antics and singalongs in the VIP section: it’s the dramatic kiss on the field after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl this year; it’s the giddy tidbits he offers about her on his podcast; it’s his extended family, including his brother Jason and mother Donna (who all have their own agents and brand deals), welcoming her into the fold and publicly talking up this glorious romance. He doesn’t view dating an impossibly famous singer as a hindrance and seems happy to be by her side, if perhaps a step back to let her get the full shine. Think of him as the Alexis Ohanian to her Serena Williams—both hugely successful individuals who embrace being trophy husbands without sacrificing their own professional ambitions.
Kelce has fully been accepted by Swiftie Nation and integrated into the lore. They wear Chiefs shirts at her concerts and cheer his football skills as an extension of her greatness. He’s the football hunk who took his shot and asked out his crush, the tight end who will put on a song and dance for his love and be as corny as the world wants him to be. Swifties like how publicly romantic he is, in sharp contrast to the carefully maintained privacy of Alwyn. To put it bluntly, he is giving the people what they want: more Taylor in love, and more Taylor in power.
The numbers also speak for themselves. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Swift’s presence at Chiefs games increased NFL viewership, with Commissioner Roger Goodell praising the pair as being “nothing but a positive” for the league), and Forbes reported that the Chiefs franchise had gained $331.4 million in value in six months thanks to the might of TNT. That’s what a power couple does. Neither are shy about these advantages, particularly Kelce. Long before Taylor, he was already opening doors for a post-football career with his podcast, brand deals, and SNL appearances (remember when he had a dating show?) Now, he’s signing up to host game shows, produce movies, and star in Ryan Murphy joints. In 2023, Business Insider estimated that Kelce makes about $5 million a year in off-the-field earnings. Being part of TNT will certainly increase that. More eyeballs on your person means more money.
