The Taylor Swift Effect Turns 1

Sophie Cunningham puts together her one-of-one fits to “bring all the eyes to the game.” The best part of her most fire looks? They were designed by Mom. Queen.

Jude Bellingham’s new YouTube channel has already surpassed half of the clubs in the Premier League by subscriber count. Only 62.3 million to go to catch Ronaldo.

Los Angeles native will.i.am announced that he will be performing at halftime of the East LA Classic at SoFi Stadium later this fall. Marching bands, prepare your arrangements of “Let’s Get It Started.”

The Phillies’ new post-win playlist came together with the help of three DJ brothers who also happen to be sickos for the NL East champs. They’re still using the wrong version of “Dancing On My Own” (sorry Calum Scott, it’s Robyn or nothing in this house), but the playlist undeniably bangs.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler built an app to change the way athletes interact directly with their fans, creating a one-stop-shop for Cameo-like opportunities for budding stars. We’re all for more troll-free spaces.

It’s been exactly one year since ‘The Hard Launch’—the night Taylor Swift first showed up at a Chiefs game in support of her podcasting boyfriend. 

Her impact on the NFL has a dollar value; Kansas City CEO Clark Hunt says the pop icon has spurred fanbase growth by roughly 30%. It has a less easy to calculate cultural value, too, like the football-is-for-the-girls vibe that has swept the NFL.

The Swift Effect is now coming for the rest of the sports zeitgeist. As the Eras Tour marched from NFL stadium to NFL stadium, colleges and minor league baseball teams were quick to get in on the action, hosting their own themed nights celebrating the superstar.

For one night, the Kansas City Monarchs changed their name to the Kansas Swiftie Monarchs, inviting fans to make friendship bracelets at the game and raffling off a pair of Swift tickets.

kc_monarchs

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The success of these theme nights isn’t rocket science. Embracing Swift has removed the mancave's monopoly on sports and invited casuals to share the flowers. They've never smelled better.

Have you noticed dancing Korean baseball cheerleaders taking over your TikTok feed? You are not alone. The dance, the song, the vibe are irresistible.

The dance, called the Pikki Pikki by those in the know, started as a move that cheerleaders for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization would bust out after one of their pitchers notched a strikeout. We’d call the dance “demure” if that word, well, you know.

Now everyone is getting in on the action, from Olivia Rodrigo to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

@kylie.dickson

harder than it looks ppl! 😂⭐️ day 5/30 #dallascowboyscheerleaders @Leatunnell @Kleine

Again, listen at your own risk—once you start hearing that basketball sneaker squeak, it’s tough to get out of your head. 

Hang this in the Met.

We want to use this space from time to time to highlight creators we love and think you’ll love too. Art But Make It Sports—known offline as LJ Rader—is one of our favorites at the OffBall office. Whenever a big moment happens in the sports world, Rader’s eye finds a connection. 

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