NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Makes a Bold Declaration About Taylor Swift

Roger Goodell is definitely feeling “The Swift Effect.”

After Taylor Swift kicked off football season by supporting boyfriend Travis Kelce during the Kansas City Chiefs’ home opener on Thursday, Sept. 5, the NFL commissioner is reflecting on the massive impact Swift, 34, has had on the sport.

While giving an interview on the Today show Friday morning, Goodell was asked about the singer’s love story with Kelce, 34, and how their whirlwind romance has created an unlikely convergence between Swifties and football fans.

The great thing about their relationship is it’s created a new relationship with football,” said Goodell, 65. “Any people that can come into our game, enjoy it, experience it, I think it has an impact on them. We welcome that.”

As for the personal romance between Swift and Kelce, Goodell said he’s clearly rooting for the couple, who “have a great relationship” and are “very happy” together, but for him, the NFL is the main priority.

“For us, we just want to make sure our game’s available to as many people as possible.”

Goodell’s stance on the matter is slightly different than that of Chiefs president, Mark Donovan, who said earlier this week that the Kansas City team isn’t just trying to “capitalize” on Swift’s romance with the star tight end.

She wants to be a fan,” Donovan previously told Front Office Sports about the “Cruel Summer” songstress. “This is her off time. She wants to be there to support Travis. We’re going to create that opportunity where we provide that.”

“She brings a lot with her, and it’s a pretty valuable, targeted demographic when you look at the makeup of her fan base,” he continued, while noting the Chiefs organizations’ intentions of remaining “respectful” to the pop star.

We’re not trying to capitalize on this,” Donovan added. “We’re trying to celebrate it, but it’s not about doing too much or showing her every touchdown or anything like that.”

But there’s no denying Swift has become the star of the show in many ways, with some Swifties only tuning in to the broadcast or buying tickets to the games in hopes of seeing the 14-time Grammy winner—and it’s safe to say the NFL and namely, Goodell, are not mad about that.