Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan discussed in a recent interview how the team will handle another season of Taylor Swift’s fan frenzy at Arrowhead Stadium.
Although Taylor Swift didn’t attend a Chiefs game until the third week of the NFL season last year, the team has three home games scheduled before she heads off on her world tour this year.
Mark Donovan told David Rumsey of Front Office Sports, “Taylor brings a lot of attention and represents a valuable, targeted demographic given her fan base. We’re considering respectful ways to manage this.”
Donovan recounted a conversation with Travis Kelce before Taylor’s first game attendance. He said, “I approached Travis after practice and mentioned that I’d heard Taylor was coming. He responded, ‘Yes, she wants to come, but that’s up to her. I’m focusing on the game.’”
Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan recently discussed how the team plans to manage another year of Taylor Swift’s excitement at Arrowhead Stadium.
Last season, Taylor Swift didn’t make it to a Chiefs game until the third week, but this year, the team has three home games scheduled before she departs for her world tour.
Mark Donovan told David Rumsey of Front Office Sports, “Taylor brings a lot of attention and represents a valuable demographic due to her fan base. We’re exploring ways to handle this respectfully.”
He also shared a conversation he had with Travis Kelce before Taylor’s first game attendance, saying, “I spoke with Travis after practice and mentioned I’d heard Taylor was coming. He replied, ‘Yes, she wants to come, but that’s up to her. I’m focusing on the game.’”
“I said to Travis, ‘That can’t happen,’” Donovan recounted.
“So, we devised a detailed plan. Her security team arrived the day before to arrange a smooth entry and exit, unlike our usual VIP arrangements.
“However, on game day, our head of security called to inform me that Taylor wasn’t happy with the plan. She decided to come through the main gate. She wore a hat, a COVID mask, and sunglasses, and came with a group of people through the main gate.
“That’s what she wanted—to experience being a fan and support Travis. We’re committed to making that possible for her.”
Donovan also noted that the Chiefs deliberately avoided playing any Taylor Swift songs at Arrowhead Stadium last season.
“That was a gesture of respect,” he explained. “We weren’t trying to exploit the situation. We wanted to acknowledge it without overdoing it or featuring her on the big board. We didn’t show her during any of the touchdowns or on our big screen.
“There was a game where we had several big celebrities in the stadium. Before the game, we showcased them on the sideline and on the big board to highlight that this is the place to be, with notable entertainment figures present.
“I mentioned to Travis afterward that it seemed strange to show multiple celebrities while Taylor was in her suite and not feature her. He replied, ‘Let’s continue with what we’re doing.’”
Given that Taylor Swift generated a brand value equivalent to $331.5 million for the Chiefs and the NFL in 2023, as reported by Front Office Sports, it’s no surprise that the team is eager to go above and beyond to accommodate and promote her.
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