Taylor Swift Wouldn’t Give Fox Permission

Taylor Swift needs Fox to calm down.

When the network heard rumors that Swift, 33, would be in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium for the Sunday, September 24, Kansas City Chiefs game to support Travis Kelce, they “sought permission” to play some of her songs during the broadcast — but were allegedly turned down by her record label and publishing company due to speculation about her and Kelce’s blossoming romance.

“Earlier in the week, amid the avalanche of rumors, our bulldog associate producer Rich Gross had sought permission to use some of Swift’s music,” Richie Zyons, NFL on Fox’s lead producer, wrote via a FoxSports.com blog post on Thursday, September 28. “Not a chance.”

Zyons added: “Per the FOX music department, Swift’s record label and publishing company denied our request ‘in conjunction with speculations on or about her private/personal/dating life.'”

Swift caused a stir among fans when she appeared at the stadium on Sunday to support Kelce, 33, in his family's box, alongside his mother Donna Kelce. The singer was seen cheering and even doing a chest bump with her friend after Travis scored a touchdown during the game, which ultimately resulted in the Chiefs defeating the Bears 41-10. Although unable to use her discography to further hype the event, Zyons explained how Fox Sports still managed to showcase Swift's appearance at Arrowhead in their live coverage.

Zyons wrote in his blog, "The first time we peeked in on Kelce's suite was during player introductions, minutes before the start of the broadcast. Swift was there, seated next to Kelce's mother Donna, and they both erupted in cheers as the tight end ran out of the tunnel. We played that back on tape early in the telecast."

Zyons noted that coverage then became "a matter of balance" between highlighting the game and Swift's reactions. "Russo showed restraint not taking gratuitous live shots, saving the opportunities for when she reacted to action in the game," he continued. "Her joyful expression after Kelce scored a touchdown was the image of the day, captured beautifully by our low-end-zone cameraman Andy Mitchell."

After the Chiefs secured their win, Swift was seen leaving the stadium with Travis in a purple convertible before heading to a private afterparty to celebrate with his teammates. In post-game celebration pictures obtained by TMZ, Swift could be seen wrapping her arm around the tight end as the two conversed with other attendees.