NFL executive describes salary cap increase as ‘Taylor Swift surplus’

NFL teams will be receiving quite a bump in the salary cap this offseason, reportedly going up by $30 million. It’s an unprecedented move by the league and gives teams a lot more ability on the financial side of the game. The total cap space will sit at $255.4 million heading into the 2024 season.

One NFL executive had a fun way of describing the increased cap space his team will be receiving. Due to the popularity rise the league has seen due to Taylor Swift, the extra $30 million has been dubbed the “Taylor Swift surplus.” Swift has been such a positive image for the NFL and is now jokingly credited with the increased cash.

“As we head towards the NFL Combine & free agency, an NFL front office source just shared with me it’ll be interesting for them to watch how teams use their ‘Taylor Swift surplus’ in cap space,” Josiana Anderson of CBS Sports said via X. “Will teams actually spend it, just hold it, or pay down debt?”

From the moment Swift was rumored to be involved with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, everyone began to eat the story up. Eventually, she showed up at the games Swift earned the biggest spotlight in the stadium.

Of course, this played all the way through the Super Bowl where Kelce won this third ring. Swift was there throughout the playoff run and watched her boyfriend win it all in Las Vegas.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about Swift’s impact on the league, saying she creates a “buzz” even when talking about the biggest sporting event of the year. Swift was a football fan before dating Kelce as well, originally from the Philadelphia area.

“Having the Taylor Swift effect is also positive,” Goodell said leading into the Super Bowl. “Both Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people, they seem very happy. She knows great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football. I think it’s great to have her a part of it. Obviously, it creates a buzz [and invites] another group of young fans and young women who are interested in why she’s going to this game, why she is interested in this game. Besides Travis, she’s a football fan. And I think that’s great for us.”

Swift’s benefit to the league is now being shown on the financial side. $30 million is a nice chunk of change a ton of teams will be grateful for this offseason.