Erin Andrews speaks her mind on Taylor Swift's impact on NFL as she eyes more Chiefs games | Marca
has offered high praise for , attributing a notable rise in female NFL viewership to the pop superstar's presence at games.
During a live taping of her Calm Down podcast at the Cannes Lions 2025 Festival of Creativity, explained how visibility and enthusiasm have helped reshape the television landscape for football.
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shared: "Our ratings are up for women, which is huge for us. ... The casual fan doesn't feel as afraid to watch professional sports right now, watch the NFL because, well, our girl helped out with that."
described the Sunday broadcast she hosts, America's Game of the Week, as now splitting its audience evenly between men and women - something she sees as especially encouraging. This increase reflects a broader trend of women feeling more confident watching the NFL.
remarks echo recent figures from the NFL's leadership. , the league's senior VP of global brand and consumer marketing, revealed that women and girls make up nearly half of NFL fans.
She credited high-profile appearances at games - including her partnership with - as influential in that growth.
That influence even caught the attention of NFL Commissioner . In a recent press appearance, Goodell referred to Swift's prominence at games as "a positive," noting her status as a genuine fan and her effect on attracting younger and female audiences.
Before entry onto the NFL scene, many female viewers reported feeling intimidated by football's traditionally male-dominated culture. But with in luxury boxes, cheering alongside other high-profile attendees, that dynamic began to shift. Andrews noted that involvement made sports "cool," contributing to a cultural shift in how women relate to the game.
and co-host n have taken advantage of this change. Their Calm Down podcast aims to welcome all types of viewers-whether they know every X and O or are simply drawn by the celebrity connection. As pointed out, the goal now is to both teach and entertain a wider, more diverse audience.
impact has stretched far beyond stadium buzz. With her arrival, the and NFL have seen significant spikes in merchandise revenue, media coverage, and ratings.
Studies tracked a nearly $1 billion increase in brand value associated with NFL involvement, including bumping Sunday Night Football viewership by millions - particularly among teenage girls and young women.
That uptick is no accident. The NFL has actively pursued a more inclusive audience strategy, expanding coverage and diversifying promotion. embrace by public figures like , and the attention of , signals a broader industry recognition that blending entertainment, celebrity, and sports can drive long-term engagement.
relationship with has done more than dominate headlines-it has to redefined who watches the NFL and how. By lowering barriers and reframing attendance as mainstream cultural participation, she's helped make football more accessible.
put it simply: made it less scary for women to tune into football. Now, with equal representation half the time, football broadcasts feel more inclusive - richer, more diverse, and reflective of game-day crowds across the country.
As put it: "We want casual fans, we want fans that know a lot. Listen to the podcast, watch our broadcasts, we'll help teach you the game."
commentary, alongside league-wide data and support, marks a clear shift: isn't just a celebrity at NFL games - she's a catalyst for changing the sport's cultural identity. The "Taylor Swift Effect" is more than a trend; it's a turning point in how football welcomes and engages new fans.