Every time Simone Biles or Taylor Swift pops up in an NFL match to cheer their love, the internet buzzes with a common word: screen time. Back in February, during the Super Bowl, Swift made headlines when she appeared at the stadium to support her beau, Travis Kelce, in his game against the San Francisco 49ers. Everything seemed to be going smoothly—at one point, Swift was even spotted with Travis’s dad, Ed Kelce, a gesture that showed her humility. But things took a twist when CBS revealed some surprising post-game data.
That data showed Swift snagged 0.36% of the total Super Bowl TV screen time—translating to a whopping 54 seconds. This prompted an outcry from NFL fans, with many complaining, “They’re shoving Taylor Swift down our throats!” On the other hand, it raised eyebrows when people realized that 11-time Olympic winner Simone Biles was nowhere near the heartthrob when it came to screen time. This season’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field served as an example.
Biles fresh off her Paris Olympic success and amid her Gold Over America Tour, was in the stands, cheering on her husband, Jonathan Owens, who delivered some electrifying performances on the field. Yet, despite Biles’ presence, her engaging demeanor, and Owens’ standout play, the camera didn’t focus on her nearly as much as it would have on Taylor Swift. This discrepancy put broadcasters in the hot seat. The debate about unequal coverage was reignited last night, as Simone returned to the same venue to support her husband once again.
This time, the Chicago Bears met the Los Angeles Rams at home, and Simone Biles entered the venue with her GOAT tour team. She was seen to share several warm moments with Owens on the sidelines before and after the game. But did that translate to competitive screen time? According to fans, the answer is still a resounding “no.” One fan even commented, “Why isn’t Simone getting the hype that swift is getting from attending games lol.” The mystery remains unsolved, but as always, Biles radiated her usual star power while taking the field last night.
This time, Biles avoided any wardrobe drama with Bears fans—unlike her last appearance when she accidentally strolled into a Bears game wearing a Packers jersey. Instead, she showed up in a Bears sweater while donning her iconic goat necklace. On a few occasions, she even stopped to pose for photos with her GOAT squad, and rising gymnastics star Joscelyn Roberson tagged along for some selfies.
Despite her iconic status, Biles kept things low-key, which NFL fans seemed to appreciate. On social media, several fans voiced their thoughts, placing the 27-year-old gymnast at the center of some intriguing demands for the NFL. So, what are fans asking for?
The NFL fans want to see Simone Biles getting Taylor Swift treatment
Before the Super Bowl game this year, the argument expressed that Taylor Swift’s screen time was less than 25 seconds. In fact. Rob Hyland, the coordinating producer for NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcasts, explained that his team prioritized the game’s action on the field. However, if Swift’s face did appear, it was simply to “remind the audience that she’s here.” Yet, in the Chiefs vs. Dolphins game (January 13), she received a screen time of 1 minute, 16 seconds—which felt huge to the fans. However, Simone Biles didn’t receive any such.
This selective treatment didn’t sit well with everyone. One fan even urged, “Give her the same Taylor swift treatment please @nfl,” calling for equal screen time and camera attention for Biles. But when it comes to Simone, those moments are rare. Fans have pointed out that her sweet moments with Jonathan Owens on the sidelines don’t get nearly the same coverage as Swift and Kelce’s highly publicized love story. It led another fan to ask, “Can we see more of her then Taylor.”
For a few fans, it can prove to be a breather. On this aspect, someone commented, “Im glad they show her too cause I was tired of seeing just Taylor Swift.” But breadcrumbs aren’t enough for the NFL faithful—they’re asking for the whole loaf.
Meanwhile, fans are pushing for the NFL to leverage the presence of the most decorated female gymnast in history. That demand was evident when a fan penned, “Make @Simone_Biles the face of the @nfl.” There is no such official face for the NFL. However, Taylor Swift’s influence has certainly drawn attention. In fact, Nielsen reported that Swift’s appearance at Kansas City’s October 1 game enticed around two million women to tune in—her indirect impact is undeniable.
So, could Simone Biles fill that role? It’s an interesting thought. With her widespread appeal, unmatched success, and genuine love for the sport through her support of Jonathan Owens, Biles could easily bring a different, yet equally powerful, energy to the NFL. What do you think—could Simone be the next game-changer for the league?
