Super Bowl Faces Boycott Calls Days Before Game

Super Bowl LVIII is facing boycott calls on social media from detractors just days before the banner event takes place on Sunday.

Late last month, the Kansas City Chiefs secured a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The results of the AFC Championship game saw the Chiefs advancing to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years. The team will face off against the San Francisco 49ers at the Super Bowl, which this year takes place in Las Vegas.

Fans have eagerly been awaiting the game, not just so they can hopefully cheer on their team of choice to victory, but also to catch get a glimpse of Taylor Swift, who is expected to attend in support of her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

However, the anticipated presence of Swift at the game, which will be broadcast by CBS, has been given as a reason by some social media users to boycott the event.

Newsweek has contacted a representative of CBS via email for comment.

Responding to a post criticizing Swift, one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote earlier this week: "Boycott Super Bowl and I hope Tucker [Carlson] airs [his Vladimir] Putin interview right splat dab at the same time and then check the views."

Carlson, however, released his interview with the Russian leader on Thursday.

While discussing this week's Nevada Republican primary, another X user commented: "Just remember the Super Bowl is in Las Vegas. A great reason to boycott it. Plus Taylor Swift and Mr. Pfizer."

The "Mr. Pfizer" jab was directed at Kelce by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during an interview in the fall. Kelce starred in a commercial, done in partnership with Pfizer to promote the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shots.

Nick Adams, an author and outspoken Donald Trump supporter, shared a video of himself on Tuesday standing outside Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium where the Super Bowl will be taking place.

In the video, he was seen mocking a man that he had identified as a Swift fan and said that he would not be watching the Super Bowl and urged others not to as well.

"Boycott the Super Bowl," another X user stated. "There are alternative methods on which you can watch the game from. I'm not about to give the NFL a dime for scripting this s*** season. No way Taylor Swift is not a government psyop."

"I have decided to Boycott the Superbowl this year," announced one X user, who then listed their reasons: "1. A ticket starts at $6,000! 2. Taylor Swift."

An X user mocked the boycott declarations, insisting that Swift's popularity will likely boost viewership.

"MAGAs are threatening to boycott the Super Bowl because of Taylor Swift," they wrote. "Good luck with that, she has 100 million avid followers and they will watch the Super Bowl. MAGAs poked the wrong bear!"

Meanwhile, others declared that they would be turning their backs on the Super Bowl over the announcement that Andra Day would be performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the Black National Anthem, at the event.

one X user commented: "IF the super bowl does the National Black Anthem, BOYCOTT THE SUPER BOWL!"

"People boycott the NFL and the Super Bowl for them wanting to play the Black National Anthem," urged another user. "We only have one Anthem in America. If you do not believe that than your free to leave the USA. Sick of this disrespect for our country."

Expressing their distaste for the song and Swift, one wrote on X: "Boycott #Superbowl. We are all sick of the wokeness. It's disgusting. There is only one national anthem. Black national anthem are u freaking kidding? Is NFL turning in to a political gong show #swift #kelce #blm #nfl."

Another insisted that "we must fight on all levels, thus I'm calling for MAGA to Boycott the SUPER BOWL. They will sing the Black National Anthem!! I refuse to support the NFL for disrespecting our Flag and our only National Anthem. If you're OK with watching the Super Bowl anyway, you're not MAGA."

While some have taken to social media to declare their boycotting plans, Swift's expected presence could prove to be a ratings boon. A survey conducted by LendingTree found that 13 percent of Americans are more interested in football thanks to Swift. Many fans will be watching for the first time ever because of her.

Swift's presence at Chiefs games since embarking on her relationship with Kelce over the summer has sparked much conversation. NFL broadcasts often focus on her presence—much to the exasperation of some football fans.

"I'm just there to support Travis," Swift recently told Time. "I have no awareness of if I'm being shown too much and p****** off a few dads, Brads, and Chads."

Addressing the cameras often panning her way, Swift said: "I don't know how they know what suite I'm in. There's a camera, like, a half-mile away, and you don't know where it is, and you have no idea when [the] camera is putting you in the broadcast, so I don't know if I'm being shown 17 times or once."