Taylor Swift’s record label and publishing company denied a request from the NFL on Fox to use her songs as bumper music during the broadcast of the Chicago Bears-Kansas City Chiefs game.
Taylor Swift's people wouldn't let Fox use her music during the Chiefs-Bears game. Hopefully there's no bad blood.https://t.co/mabDSQDEvq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 28, 2023
The broadcast featured shots of Swift in Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce’s suite, leading to much discussion about her presence.
However, Fox was unable to use any of her songs due to concerns from Swift’s management about it being associated with the discussion of her relationship with Kelce.
For many viewers, this was disappointing considering the significant attention given to Swift throughout the broadcast.
Kansas City won the game 41-10, and Fox’s focus on Swift certainly contributed to the high ratings. Lead producer Richie Zyons explained that they first showed Swift in Kelce’s suite during player introductions, capturing her cheering alongside Kelce’s mother.
They strategically used shots of her throughout the game, particularly when she reacted to the action on the field.
Despite the blowout game, the presence of Swift became a social phenomenon that captivated viewers. The announcers were able to embrace the cultural relevance of Swift’s appearance, even though it meant listening to Greg Olsen singing during commercial breaks.
Zyontz admitted that he is not a fan of Swift, but recognized her popularity and relevance, making her a suitable choice for NFL broadcasts.
Zyontz said “I’m not exactly a Swiftie. Jonathan Swift, maybe; Taylor Swift, definitely not.” But Taylor Swift probably works better for NFL broadcasts than references to A Modest Proposal.
