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“That’s a Little Much”: Al Michaels Criticizes Networks for Showing Taylor Swift Too Often During NFL Games

Who would have thought that Taylor Swift’s presence at Travis Kelce’s games would raise questions about networks’ workflow? As one half of an NFL power couple, Swift’s presence at Kelce’s games naturally attracts attention. However, it turns out that the…

By Papiya Chatterjee · Essentially Sports

Published: Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 3:42 AM

Key Things to Know

Broadcaster Al Michaels criticized networks for excessive cutaways to Taylor Swift during Kansas City Chiefs games.
Michaels advocated for moderation, stating broadcasts should not make a sideshow the main focus of a football game.
Travis Kelce also previously remarked on the New Heights podcast that networks were overdoing coverage of Swift.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Veteran broadcaster Al Michaels criticized television networks for showing Taylor Swift excessively during NFL broadcasts, calling early coverage that showed her around 30 times "a little much." Speaking on the Dan Patrick Show, Michaels argued that production crews must moderate coverage and avoid turning celebrity appearances into the main show instead of the game.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce previously agreed on his New Heights podcast that networks were overdoing it. However, a January 2024 analysis by Jason Pauley revealed Swift appeared on screen for only 44 seconds during the AFC Championship Game, representing just 0.39% of the total airtime.

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