Sports Betting: Travis Kelce’s Romance with Taylor Swift Boosts Bets on His Play
Published on: October 3, 2023, 10:45h.
Last updated on: October 3, 2023, 10:45h.
Following two weeks of extensive coverage on Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s relationship with pop star Taylor Swift, football fans may be tired of non-stop gossip. However, sportsbook operators are reaping the benefits.
During week four of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs faced the New York Jets in the Sunday Night Football slot. Swift’s presence at the game prompted FanDuel and DraftKings to offer multiple prop bets on Kelce, some inspired by Swift herself.
Standard player prop wagers on the NFL can range from anytime touchdowns to over/under on receiving yards or interceptions thrown by quarterbacks. DraftKings went further by offering a prop bet on Kelce recording a reception of at least 22 yards as a nod to Swift’s hit single “22.”
Taking it up a notch, the odds for that bet were +222 (bet $100 to win $222). DraftKings benefitted as Kelce’s longest catch against the Jets was 16 yards.
The Impact on DraftKings and FanDuel
Travis Kelce is widely recognized as one of the NFL’s most prominent non-quarterback players. With his vibrant personality, high-profile personal life, and impressive career achievements, including two Super Bowl rings, Kelce has attracted significant attention beyond football circles.
In light of his romance with Swift, both FanDuel and DraftKings have seen a surge in betting activity. DraftKings reported that Kelce’s prop bets generated double the amount of money compared to the previous two weeks combined. The most popular prop after the “22” bet was Kelce scoring a touchdown, which did not happen.
FanDuel revealed to Forbes that bets on Kelce scoring a touchdown had a week-over-week increase of 149%, and his props accounted for 14% of the total money bet on the platform on Sunday.
It is worth noting that the significant rise in betting action on Kelce on FanDuel and DraftKings carries weight due to the platforms’ dominance in the US online sportsbook market, controlling approximately 70% of the industry.
The Taylor Swift Influence
The Taylor Swift effect seems to be manifesting in another way. Swift’s enthusiastic fanbase, known as “Swifties,” has developed a newfound interest in NFL betting since her romance with a football star. This could potentially benefit gaming companies seeking to attract more female bettors, given that the majority of Swift’s fans are women and approximately 45% of them fall within the 27-42 age range, making them eligible for legal wagering.
Gaming companies looking to capitalize on the Kelce/Swift affair should be prepared for its potential short duration. According to Elle, Swift has had 17 documented relationships since 2008, including Kelce, most of which have lasted only a few months.