NFL chief slams “nonsense” Taylor Swift Super Bowl conspiracy theories

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has dubbed conspiracy theories surrounding Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs’ participation in this weekend’s Super Bowl as ‘nonsense’.

Swift has become synonymous with the NFL world since it was revealed the musician was dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce last year.

Her presence at Chiefs games has drawn fresh eyes on the sport and the Chiefs are gearing up to win a third Super Bowl in five years in Sunday’s Las Vegas showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.

Swift is set to play a concert in Japan the day before Kelce lines up at the Allegiant Stadium and it is unclear whether she will make it back to the States for the sport’s showpiece event.

And Goodell feels Swift’s presence at NFL games this season has only been positive for the growth of the sport.

“She’s a remarkable performer,” said Goodell. “She’s the best of the best. The Taylor Swift effect is all positive.

“Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people. They seem very happy. She knows great entertainment and I think that’s why she loves NFL football. It’s great to have her part of it.

“Obviously, it creates buzz, so another group of young fans, particularly young women, are interested in seeing why she is interested in this game.”

Goodell bats away election conspiracy theories

However, the NFL commissioner also fielded questions over conspiracies emanating from right-wing critics that Swift and Kelce’s relationship is a plot to rig the Super Bowl so that Joe Biden gets re-elected in this year’s US presidential election.

Swift has previously endorsed the Democrats, with President Biden set to be their presidential candidate again ahead of the election on November 5.

But Goodell dubbed any such theories as ‘nonsense’ ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.

He added: “I’m not that good a scripter. The idea that this is within a script, this is pre-planned, is just nonsense. It’s frankly not even worth talking about.”