On Monday night, March 10th, 2025, the highly anticipated iHeartPodcast Awards took place at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, coinciding with the peak of the South by Southwest festival. The night was filled with excitement, but one of the standout moments came when Taylor Swift took the stage to congratulate Jason and Travis Kelce on their incredible achievement—winning the Best Sports Podcast award for their show, New Heights.
Taylor, who has been a major force behind the podcast’s rise in popularity since her relationship with Travis Kelce, had nothing but praise for the brothers and their hard work. In a heartfelt message, Swift said, “Congratulations to you guys for all your hard work. It’s well deserved, and I look forward to the opportunity to appear on this amazing podcast.”
Her involvement with the podcast has not only brought attention to their content but has become a defining factor in the podcast’s massive success. In fact, New Heights, which was created by the Kelce brothers, has garnered tremendous support from Swift’s dedicated fanbase—the Swifties. It’s said that a staggering 92% of the podcast’s listeners are Swifties, and their support has been a driving force behind the podcast’s meteoric rise.
The Kelce brothers had their own special moment to thank their fans in a video acceptance speech, where they acknowledged the immense support from Taylor Swift’s followers. Jason Kelce, a retired NFL star, was quick to emphasize the role the Swifties played in making New Heights a top contender in the podcasting world. He said, “This is an incredible honor. Receiving an award like this is humbling, and we would be remiss if we didn’t immediately thank all 92% out there, AKA Swifties, who voted for us to win this award.”
Travis Kelce, too, recognized the impact Taylor’s fans have had on the podcast’s success. While New Heights has great content on its own, Travis acknowledged that the podcast wouldn’t have reached the heights it has without the passionate support of Swift’s fans. He added, “You guys made this show happen. We really appreciate it. Thank you again to the iHeartPodcast Awards, and thank you to the 92ers too.”
The Kelce brothers’ New Heights podcast had such a powerful impact that it even surpassed Joe Rogan’s podcast to become the most popular show in the world for a time—something that seemed almost unimaginable before the Swiftie wave took over.
In a night filled with celebration, the iHeartPodcast Awards truly highlighted how Taylor Swift’s influence can elevate anything she touches, even a sports podcast. With Taylor Swift’s support, the New Heights podcast has secured its place in podcasting history, and fans can only imagine what exciting future collaborations lie ahead between Taylor and the Kelce brothers.
So, a huge congratulations to Jason and Travis Kelce on their well-deserved win, and we look forward to more thrilling episodes from New Heights!