Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan has addressed speculation surrounding the relationship between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. During an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box on November 20, Donovan dismissed claims that the pairing was a calculated publicity stunt. Speculation about celebrity relationships often arises, but Donovan emphasized the genuine nature of the connection between Swift, 34, and Kelce, 35.
He remarked on the show, “I’d love to say that it was a marketing strategy, but it is an authentic relationship, and we’re happy to have it.” Donovan further highlighted the positive impact the relationship has had on the Chiefs organization, noting Swift’s sincere involvement with the team.
Mark Donovan assures fans that Swift and Kelce’s connection is all love, not a marketing play
He stated, “Taylor Swift is an authentic member of the Kansas City Chiefs kingdom. She is an authentic fan, and that matters to our fans and our fanbase, and it matters to us, and we try to respect that.”
Fans also weighed in on social media, with one user expressing disbelief that questions about the authenticity of the relationship were still being raised, writing, “I can’t believe after going on a year and a half we’re still having this conversation.” Another user added their support, saying, “Exactly, and we don’t give a s— what other fans think about it!”
Swift has been a prominent presence at Kelce’s games this season, attending four matches so far. Last season, she made it to 13 games, including the Super Bowl, even flying back from her Asia Eras Tour shows to support him. The Chiefs have maintained an undefeated record with Swift in attendance, though they suffered their first loss of the season to the Bills on November 17.
Donovan has consistently backed the relationship. In October 2023, he described Kelce as a capable team player who manages the attention surrounding his romance with professionalism. “Travis is a smart team player,” Donovan told PEOPLE. “He can handle it and has been very professional.”
