Unveiling NFL’s Sexism: Swift vs. Football

Mikaela Woo, Staff Writer • March 18, 2024

The famed Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce relationship went public in September, vastly increasing the media focus on Swift at NFL games. As a result, Swift’s stereotypically feminine fanbase, the “Swifties,” have boosted the NFL’s weekly viewership by 53% and strengthened a growing female audience within its traditionally male-oriented brand.

Despite this expansion in NFL outreach, members of the 51% male fanbase have angrily rejected the integration of new fans, seeing them as a pink, sparkly threat to their beloved sport’s long established masculinity regardless of its 35% female viewers rate. Football fans are angered at Swift’s few second, sporadic appearances in NFL broadcasts and social media, going as far to rename their X (formerly Twitter) handle to “NFL (Taylor’s Version),” threatening the toxic masculinity of the male-oriented audience and revealing the deep rooted misogyny within the community.

Ranging from hateful posters at games to loathsome comments and hate trends like smashing her records, NFL fans have resisted merging with Swift and her fans, demonstrating the insecurity within the NFL following. In the past, there have other instances of the underlying misogynistic complacency in the multitude of unaddressed and hidden sexual assault allegations made toward players and those in higher powers within the organization.

Swift herself fell victim to public sexualization with the spread of lewd football related AI generated images of her on social media as retaliation for the attention being given to her by the media — later having to be handled by the Swift public relations team proving that even the most influential women cannot escape situations like these.

Additionally, sexual assault allegations like those of Buffalo Bills player, Matt Araiza who was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor and initiating a group assault with said minor were brushed under the rug in attempts to uphold the NFL’s reputation which silences and vilifies women as a result. For women without Swift’s social capital, standing up to big corporations like the NFL is simply not viable.

Swift’s immaculate power and success have grown exponentially this year with her “Eras Tour,” turning her into the poster-child of female achievement within pop culture and entertainment media. This undeniable fact of her influence fuels the one-sided battle, threatening and highlighting the misogynistic culture within the NFL and many of its followers.

As Taylor Swift’s and the NFL brands have become intertwined with one another, misogynistic football fans have treated Swift and her fanbase maliciously. Despite being one of the most influential women of the 21st century, Swift isn’t in control of the NFL’s attention on her therefore shouldn’t be pinned the blame on. As the NFL itself seeks engagement from Swifties, the NFL fanbase alone promotes misogynistic culture against women but especially targets Swift because of her social capital. As a society the need to condemn fan bases with hateful undertones grows now more than ever, especially those with such influence on modern culture.

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About the Contributors

Mikaela Woo, Staff Writer

Mikaela Woo is a sophomore staff writer who, after a little push from her English teacher, decided to pursue her passion for writing, joining the Gamut back in 2022. She hopes to inform readers through her research and reporting, focusing on topics in A&E and Sports, which align with her deep love for softball, music, and pop culture. Possessing a bold, friendly, and dynamic personality, Mikaela is open to pretty much everyone and not shy about what she likes. She has mixed music tastes, ranging from pop girly-girl vibes to heartbreak country songs, and she often listens to artists such as Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Zach Bryan, and Cody Johnson. Beyond music, readers won't be able to catch her without her phone, Diet Coke, and makeup, notably her mascara. Mikaela also enjoys the vibrant and endearingly campy nostalgia of classic 2000s teen-girl movies and shows like Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, and Gilmore Girls. In the face of a challenge, she remains persistent and resilient, always being able to handle them just in time. Mikaela’s authenticity shines through, especially in her work, so make sure to tune in! It's Mikaela’s era this year, her version.

Rowan Lee, Art/Layout Editor

Aside from finally graduating, Rowan Lee is looking most forward to serving as The Gamut’s Art and Layout Editor for their final year of high school. Their go-to hobbies are drawing and painting: an explanation as to why they immediately applied to join The Gamut staff after learning there were drawing positions available, along with their having illustrated for The Gamut for the past 3 years. Outside of the Gamut, Rowan takes their fascination with Japanese culture to the OA Japanese Club, where they serve as Tech Chair. When they’re not busy taking on their various roles at school, drawing fanart for Jujutsu Kaisen (their favorite anime of all time), or jamming out to their 3-hour long SE SO NEON playlist, Rowan guiltily admits that they spend their free time playing Valorant or watching VTubers (virtual YouTubers). Rowan honestly confesses that their Senioritis has been kicking in since Junior year, but as the diligent worker they are, they vow to push through till the very night they toss their cap into the air at Handel Stadium.