The Taylor Swift effect seemingly led to a 24% increase in viewership among 18- to 24-year-old women for Super Bowl LVIII. Fascinating, to say the least. Not to mention, Swift’s budding romance with Chiefs star Travis Kelce likely played a role. But with this surge in popularity comes controversy. Has the NFL manipulated outcomes to ensure the Chiefs win? A wildly bizarre and one that’s gaining traction. Taking a stand, Big Aristotle shared his take on the “rigged” controversy.

With just days left until the Super Bowl, the conversation has intensified, with everyone talking about the same rumor. O’Neal is apparently quite knowledgeable about the NFL. He has been closely following it and believes that the word ‘rigged’ is perhaps wrong. 

“Rigged is a pretty thrown around word. Do the Chiefs get all the call? Yeah. Did  Michael Jordan get all the calls? Yeah?…Yeah it’s just a way the cookie crumble sometime I wouldn’t use the word rigged. That’s just hey it’s listen it’s business I think it’s more exciting to have a team that’s won two can they win three?” O’Neal said. 

However, some fans have consistently argued that the league might be favoring the Kansas City Chiefs to win, and some have even gone as far as to drag Swift into the conversation as well. Even die-hard Eagles fan Adam Lefkoe also doesn’t see it as rigged or manipulated. He agreed on how many fans turned to watch the NFL because of Swift while speaking of a barista Swiftie he knew. He said how the fans started watching the NFL only because of Swift. But he is clearly against such claims. 

In response, Shaquille O’Neal said, “If you’re going to throw around that word rigged I would use it before the Super Bowl cuz once you’re at the Super Bowl we already made our money.  Now we going to get extra money.” The Los Angeles Lakers legend clarified that by the time Super Bowl arrives, the league had already made its profit. “Lot of mistakes? Yeah but like rig has to start from the beginning. Like rig has to start from from the beginning and go all the way to the end,” he added.

The Chiefs are the eighth team in NFL history to have won back-to-back titles.  With growing tension and pressure on if they can win the third title, the Chiefs also have to deal with the controversy. 

How did the Kansas City Chiefs react to the controversy? 

3x Super Bowl champion Kelce was the first to share his take. “If I could ask the media one question. Why are you guys leaning into this whole ref thing? You know what I mean. Why are you guys leaning into it?” he asked.

After the Chiefs’ win over the Buffalo Bills on January 26, the rumors seem to have only grown louder than ever. Not just fans, but a former NFL player Terrell Owens also believes the same. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt also weighed in. “You almost have to laugh at it. There’s definitely no conspiracy, right? It’s the nature of the game. And when you start having a lot of success, people like to start making excuses for why you’re having the success,” Hunt said.

The Chiefs won Super Bowl 54 against the 49ers in 2020, ending a years-long drought. However, they lost Super Bowl 55 to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in 2021. The stakes are undeniably high. Regardless of Swift’s presence and the surrounding controversy, the Chiefs must stay focused and battle hard against the formidable Eagles.