Haley Kalil, a popular content creator, has recently come forward as a devout fan of Taylor Swift, revealing that she is a proud “Swiftie” to her 23 million followers. During a recent interview with PEOPLE in São Paulo, Brazil, where she was preparing to live stream the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs game, the 33-year-old influencer expressed her long-standing admiration for the singer and her music.
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Despite the absence of Taylor Swift at her fiancé Travis Kelce’s international game and her limited visibility at NFL games this season, her influence on the sport is undeniable. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has acknowledged Swift’s role in attracting more female viewers to the sport, with YouTube reporting a significant increase in sports content uploads by women creators year on year.
Kalil credits Swift with breaking stereotypes and making football more appealing to women, emphasising that the sport is not exclusively for men. She highlights the fun and camaraderie experienced at football events, including tailgates, where she observed women actively participating and enjoying the game.
As an avid football fan herself, Kalil expresses her excitement at the prospect of witnessing Swift’s reactions to Kelce’s plays during games. She likens it to enjoying a reality show featuring Swift, without the actual show, and points to the joy shared by Swifties in seeing the singer happy and supported by Kelce.
Growing up in a household of football enthusiasts, Kalil inherited her love for the sport from her father, a devoted Minnesota Vikings fan. She acknowledges the familial loyalty to the team and playfully admits that she would cheer against Kelce if the Chiefs were to face off against the Vikings, hoping for a long-awaited Super Bowl victory for her father’s team.
During the Chiefs vs. Chargers game livestreamed by YouTube, Kalil actively engaged with fans in Brazil and co-hosted the pregame show with former football player turned YouTuber Deestroying. The event also featured a halftime performance by Grammy-winning artist Karol G and drew nearly 20 million viewers from over 230 countries and territories worldwide.
Reflecting on the success of the live game day programming on YouTube, Angela Courtin, the platform’s vice president of sports and entertainment marketing, emphasises the collaborative effort that brought together NFL expertise and online creators. She envisions a continued partnership with the NFL to deliver engaging and interactive content for fans globally.
Courtin’s personal connection to football as a Dallas Cowboys fan informs her approach to producing NFL games for YouTube, understanding the passion and community that surrounds the sport. She sees the online landscape as a hub for diverse content spanning football, music, fashion, and food, enhancing the overall sports experience for viewers worldwide.
In conclusion, Haley Kalil’s disclosure as a proud Swiftie and dedicated football fan sheds light on the evolving landscape of sports entertainment and online content creation. With YouTube’s foray into live sports programming and collaborations with industry experts, the platform aims to offer engaging and immersive experiences for fans, bridging the gap between traditional sports broadcasting and digital media.