Headline To Go
Cover Story
Tech Talk
Boardroom Talks
Sneaker Game
Inside the Boardroom

About Boardroom

Boardroom is a sports, media and entertainment brand co-founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman and focused on the intersection of sports and entertainment. Boardroom’s flagship media arm features premium video/audio, editorial, daily and weekly newsletters, showcasing how athletes, executives, musicians and creators are moving the business world forward. Boardroom’s ecosystem encompasses B2B events and experiences (such as its renowned NBA and WNBA All-Star events) as well as ticketed conferences such as Game Plan in partnership with CNBC. Our advisory arm serves to consult and connect athletes, brands and executives with our broader network and initiatives.

Recent film and TV projects also under the Boardroom umbrella include the Academy Award-winning Two Distant Strangers (Netflix), the critically acclaimed scripted series SWAGGER (Apple TV+) and Emmy-nominated documentary NYC Point Gods (Showtime).

Boardroom’s sister company, Boardroom Sports Holdings, features investments in emerging sports teams and leagues, including the Major League Pickleball team, the Brooklyn Aces, NWSL champions Gotham FC, and MLS’ Philadelphia Union.

All Rights Reserved. 2022.
Entertainment September 25, 2023
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn

Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift Inc.: The Numbers and Impact Behind the Pop Culture Phenomenon

Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Last Updated: September 28, 2023
From digital footprint to merch to live event impact and beyond, let’s take a closer look at the economics of the two-time Super Bowl champ and the pop superstar.

Perhaps you have heard about this thing that happened over the weekend in Kansas City. Perhaps you have not heard about it. In any event, it was downright unavoidable: Sporting KC defeated the Houston Dynamo 2-1 despite losing Johnny Russell to a first-half red card.

But at least one other thing happened this weekend in the land of burnt ends and molasses: we were reminded that shipping is not just something DHL does.

@boardroom_ Travis Kelce’s enjoying the spoils of the Taylor Swift effect. #traviskelce #taylorswift #nfl #swifties ♬ original sound – Boardroom

More specifically, the internet hurtled to the edge of Kim K Butt Champagne™ levels of breakage amid seismic rumblings that All-Pro Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and global pop music superstar Taylor Swift were perhaps quite possibly A THING. This is not mere celebrity gossip, however — it’s a pop culture phenomenon with the potential to generate an impact across several sectors of the sports and entertainment economy to the tune of millions (or even billions) of dollars.

No, it’s not hyperbole. It’s just 2023. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift intrigue.

Stay Ahead of the Game, Get Our Newsletters

Subscribe for the biggest stories in the business of sports and entertainment, daily.

The Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift Economy

SOURCES: QuestionPro, TIME, Statista, Spotrac

Travis + Chiefs

  • Kelce on Twitter: 960K followers
  • Kelce on IG: 2.7M
  • Kelce Pro Bowls: 8
  • Kelce Super Bowl titles: 2
  • Kelce t-shirt: $35+ at Fanatics
  • Kelce jersey: $130+ at Fanatics
  • Chiefs ticket revenue: $9.625M per game (2022)
  • Chiefs overall revenue: $540M (2022)

Taylor + Eras Tour

  • Swift on Twitter: 94.4M followers
  • Swift on IG: 272M
  • Swift Billboard No. 1 albums: 12
  • Swift Grammy Awards: 12
  • Eras t-shirt: $45
  • Eras hoodie: $75
  • Eras tour revenue: ~$13.6M per show
  • Proj. tour economic impact: $5B

Other Key Stats From the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift Era

  • Sept. 24’s Chiefs-Bears game in Kansas City earned 24.3 million TV viewers on Fox, making it the most-watched NFL game of Week 3.
    • It was additionally No. 1 among women in the 12-17 and 18-49 demographics, per Nielsen figures.
  • The New Balance 550 shoes that Swift wore to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday quickly began selling out in most sizes, but click here and see if you can still find yours…
  • TMZ reported that Kelce jersey sales increased by 400% on Sept. 24 across the Fanatics/NFL Shop network.
  • The 2023 Chiefs roster costs $213.77 million against the NFL salary cap.
  • The average Eras Tour attendee spends approximately $1,300 before and during the experience.
  • Kelce made the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, while Swift is recognized as the highest-earning female musical artist of the 2010s with an estimated $825 million.
  • Forbes estimated Swift’s net worth to be $740 million in June of 2023.
  • Kelce’s NFL earnings through the 2023 season total $77.03 million. His active contract is worth $57.25 million over four years.
  • Swift has released 11 RIAA-certified Platinum albums to date, with the Diamond (10x Platinum) Fearless leading the way.
  • Kelce holds numerous NFL tight end records, including most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards (7), single-season receiving yards (1,416), seasons with 100+ receptions (3), and games with 100+ yards (35)

He’s a bit behind the pace, but would anyone be shocked if Kelce torches the record books and registers 1,989 receiving yards this season between the regular season and the playoffs?

Go ahead and place your futures bets now.

Read More:

Want to Wear it Like Kelce?
Get Your Chiefs Gear Now!
Sam Dunn

Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.

NFLfootballMusicKansas City ChiefsTravis KelceTaylor Swift
About The Author
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.