Skip Bayless, wife Ernestine Sclafani slam Taylor Swift’s NFL spotlight after Travis Kelce podcast sparks media frenzy ahead of 2025 season

Taylor Swift’s surprise appearance on the August 13 episode of New Heights, the NFL podcast hosted by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, has gone viral. The episode drew millions of views and enthusiastic reactions from Swift’s fanbase – but the timing and attention haven’t gone over well with everyone.

Veteran sports personality Skip Bayless and his wife, Ernestine Sclafani, joined the growing list of voices concerned about the renewed media attention around Swift and the NFL just weeks before the 2025 regular season kicks off. As the Chiefs enter training camp looking to defend their Super Bowl title, the increasing spotlight on Swift is once again sparking debate in NFL circles – both on and off the field.

Skip Bayless and wife Ernestine call out renewed Taylor Swift coverage before NFL season begins

The Swift-Kelce relationship became a major subplot during the 2023 NFL season and according to Bayless and his wife, that storyline may be headed for another overblown chapter.

In a video posted Friday, Ernestine Sclafani voiced her frustration over what she sees as the inevitable flood of Swift-centric NFL coverage. She said, "It's actually been nice that they haven't been over the place – they have been in their own way. But now it's gonna start again with, 'Oh my God, she's gonna be in every game. ...If they win, it's because of her; if they lose, it's because of her.' ...Isn't anybody else sick of it?" Bayless agreed, echoing a sentiment shared by many football-first fans who feel Swift’s presence takes away from the actual game.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift spent the NFL offseason strengthening their relationship

While the outside noise grows louder, sources close to Swift and Kelce suggest the couple is focused on their own rhythm. According to Us Weekly, the pair spent this summer – the longest uninterrupted stretch of their relationship – getting closer and more comfortable in their routines. The timing worked out perfectly for the star couple: Swift wrapped her European tour dates, and Kelce entered training camp with the Chiefs, who are again among the favorites heading into the new season.

Taylor Swift will appear in new ESPN docuseries about Chiefs’ Super Bowl dynasty

The Swift-NFL crossover isn’t just happening on podcasts. ESPN just released The Kingdom, a new docuseries chronicling the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl dominance – and while Taylor Swift isn’t a central figure, she’s not absent either. Director Kristen Lappas confirmed that Swift “approved of her image and likeness” and was “very supportive” of the final product. Although she wasn’t interviewed, her presence will be felt throughout the series.

Also read: Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid Lead ‘The Kingdom’ Red Carpet Premiere in Kansas CityWith The Kingdom now streaming and Swift likely to be a frequent face in Chiefs’ suites again this fall, the NFL–Swift dynamic is once again front and center—whether fans like it or not.