It is no surprise that pop culture and sports go hand in hand in America. Fans have already seen this example at Super Bowl 59, where Taylor Swift was in the audience supporting her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Similarly, the couple was spotted at Game 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. But while the couple were just there to watch the game, the increased focus on Swift and Kelce did not sit right with several fans; now, with one NHL reporter trying to calm things down, the response was quite divided.
Fans Divided Over Reporter Defending Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce
With things getting wild, NHL Network reporter Jackie Redmond tweeted, “It’s been 48 hours. Can we please get over the fact that the biggest pop star in the world went to a hockey game and…we showed her!?”
She made the point that this wasn’t such a big deal. Redmond further argued that Swift’s presence gave the sport much-needed publicity. “God forbid a celeb draw attention to a sport ppl constantly say needs more exposure! Hope y’all had the same energy for Chalamet at Knicks games,” talking about actor Timothée Chalamet’s appearances at New York Knicks games during their NBA playoffs run in 2025.
It’s been 48 hrs
Can we plz get over the fact the biggest pop star in the world went to a hockey game and – gasp! – we showed her!?
God forbid a celeb draw attention to a sport ppl constantly say needs more exposure!
Hope y’all had the same energy for Chalamet at Knicks games.
— Jackie Redmond (@Jackie_Redmond) June 14, 2025
Some retaliated immediately, saying, “With respect, I’d rather hockey focus on hockey. I don’t watch it to see who else is watching it.”
Meanwhile, others were more supportive of Redmond; one fan wrote, “People are mad about this??? Insane lol.”
People are mad about this??? Insane lol
— Keith (@KeithKavJr) June 14, 2025
Even if Swift was shown on the broadcast, it was for no more than a few seconds at the most, which could easily be overlooked.
In the same vein, another user responded, “People are mental! Probably just jealous she went to the finals and they didn’t. They show celebrities at games ALL the time! It’s just so trendy to hate on her.”
For some, the incessant vitriol Swift faces from fans is another bandwagon people are jumping on.
Meanwhile, others argue that Swift’s attention was unnecessary. One user tweeted, “It’s hockey, no one cares or wants to see Taylor Swift. The attention is on the game, and it should be.”
It’s hockey no one cares or wants to see Taylor Swift. The attention is on the game, and it should be.
— sarah purdon (@steelqueen05) June 15, 2025
One fan even wrote, “How about focus on the Florida Panthers and growing small markets rather than pivoting to a celebrity to grow the sport.” This user advanced a scathing criticism of Redmond’s argument that Swift’s presence can help focus the spotlight on ice hockey.
While the NHL fanbase is quite divided over the whole ordeal, it is worth noting that celebrity culture has been at odds with diehard fans for quite some time, and perhaps will continue to be so. This has been evident by Swift’s complicated relationship with NFL fans, with her Stanley Cup Final appearance only adding to the drama.
