The dynamic duo of the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, are set to elevate their popular podcast, ‘New Heights,’ with a special guest: singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.
Since its inception in September 2022, ‘New Heights’ has featured a remarkable lineup of guests, including Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, coach Andy Reid, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The highly anticipated crossover between the Kelce brothers and Swift marks a significant moment in the convergence of sports and pop culture, particularly given Kelce and Swift’s well-documented relationship.
“New Heights” teased Swift’s appearance with a strategic 13-second clip earlier this week, confirming her as the special guest. The podcast’s social media account subsequently shared an announcement for Swift’s 12th studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ released at a cleverly timed 12:12 a.m. on August 12.
The relationship between Swift and Travis Kelce has become a notable talking point, especially following Kelce’s attendance at one of her Eras Tour shows at Arrowhead Stadium in July 2023. Kelce famously expressed his desire to gift Swift a friendship bracelet containing his phone number on his podcast, which generated considerable buzz among fans.
After months of speculation surrounding their connection, Swift was spotted at her first Chiefs game in September, further fueling interest in their pair. The couple has embraced their shared media presence, with significant moments including Kelce dancing on stage at one of Swift’s Eras Tour performances in London, and Swift’s surprise appearance at Kelce’s “Tight End University” event in June.
Recently, Kelce provided a glimpse into his offseason life by posting a photo dump on Instagram that showcased various moments with Swift.
The impact of Swift’s involvement with the NFL has not gone unnoticed. In a previous player poll by The Athletic, an overwhelming majority of players (72.5%) indicated that Swift’s presence at Chiefs games was beneficial for the league, while only 4.9% deemed it negative.
Following her entry onto the NFL scene, the league experienced a surge in engagement, with triple-digit growth across social media platforms. NFL senior vice president of social and influencer marketing, Ian Trombetta, noted that this spike reflects efforts to attract a younger, more diverse audience that includes both male and female fans.
In addition to the discussions about his relationship, Kelce opened up about his football experiences in a cover story with GQ. He elaborated on how their relationship dynamics have shifted, highlighting Swift’s growing interest in football.
“I sort of made her a football fan. She is the most engulfed fan now,” Kelce mentioned, explaining how Swift has become well-acquainted with the intricacies of the sport, including injury reports and game situations.
The day’s excitement continued as ‘New Heights’ released a teaser video on Wednesday morning. In it, Jason Kelce enthusiastically acknowledged Swift’s numerous career accolades, concluding with a playful quip from Swift herself, showcasing her self-awareness.
“You know, you guys have a lot of male sports fans who listen to your podcast, and I think we all know that if there’s one thing that male sports fans want to see in their spaces and on their screens… (pause) is more of me,” she humorously remarked.
The episode featuring Taylor Swift is scheduled to be released on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET and is expected to be a unique entry in her media appearances, as she has largely avoided podcast interviews in recent years. Prior to this, her last significant podcast appearance was in 2020 during the ‘Zane Lowe Interview Series’ when she was honored as Apple Music’s Songwriter of the Year.
With such high-profile guests and engaging content, ‘New Heights’ is solidifying its place at the intersection of sports entertainment and pop culture.
image source from：nytimes
