NFL celebrity Travis Kelce is experiencing significant criticism due to allegations that his podcast “New Heights” is exploiting Taylor Swift’s name to attract more viewers. Is this connection being manipulated? – See what that title is here

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is no stranger to the spotlight especially since his romantic connection with global pop icon Taylor Swift became public. But now, the Super Bowl champ is facing a wave of criticism from fans and media outlets who claim that his hit podcast New Heights, co-hosted with his brother Jason Kelce, is capitalizing too heavily on Swift’s name to drive traffic and increase views.

The accusations stem from repeated references to Swift on the show, subtle nods, and even some tongue-in-cheek jokes that many believe are intended to tap into the Swiftie fandom. Some fans feel that New Heights, which originally centered around football and the Kelce brothers’ dynamic careers, has increasingly shifted toward pop culture commentary in a way that feels strategic, if not opportunistic.

The Taylor Effect

It’s no secret that Taylor Swift’s influence is enormous. Her involvement in anything—be it a product, an event, or in this case, a relationship—can cause a massive surge in public attention. Since the public learned about Swift and Kelce’s connection, New Heights has seen a notable bump in viewership and online engagement.

Critics argue that this boost is being exploited, with the podcast strategically using Swift’s name or storylines related to her to capture headlines. “It feels like every episode has a Swift mention now,” one listener commented on Reddit. “Are we still here for football, or just here for Taylor?”

Defenders Speak Out

Still, many fans are pushing back against the criticism, defending Kelce’s right to discuss his personal life—especially when it’s such a significant part of his current narrative. “He’s dating one of the most famous people in the world. Of course it’s going to come up,” said one fan on X (formerly Twitter). Others argue that Kelce has shown nothing but respect toward Swift and isn’t leveraging her fame any more than necessary.

Moreover, those familiar with New Heights know that its charm lies in the candid and often humorous banter between the brothers. If Taylor Swift is now part of Kelce’s life, why wouldn’t she occasionally come up in conversation?

Is It Manipulation or Just Modern Media?

The deeper question behind this controversy is whether celebrity relationships are fair game for content creation—especially in the podcasting era where personality-driven shows dominate. Is Kelce intentionally manipulating the connection for clicks, or is he simply embracing the natural intersection of his personal and professional life?

Only time will tell if New Heights shifts its focus back to the NFL off-season grind or continues blending gridiron talk with pop culture buzz. Either way, the podcast is getting exactly what every content creator wants attention.