On Tuesday, Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark was named TIME’s Athlete of the Year. The WNBA phenom had an incredible rookie season, averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while bringing unprecedented levels of exposure to the league. Clark has become a household name and a fan favorite, and it turns out she has some celebrity admirers as well: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Taylor Swift Is a Big Caitlin Clark Fan, Gifting Her ‘Eras Tour’ Merch and Inviting Her to a Chiefs Game
In November, Swift performed in Indianapolis as part of her hugely successful “Eras Tour,” and Clark attended back-to-back shows. While at the concert, Clark had an opportunity to meet Kelce and Swift’s mother, Andrea.
“People are just going crazy that I’m there,” Clark told TIME. “I thought people would be so in their own world, ready to see Taylor. And it was just completely the opposite.”
Swift gifted Clark four bags of “Eras Tour” merch that included a note. Swift wrote to Clark that she was inspiring to watch and invited her an upcoming Kansas City Chiefs game where she could sit in Swift’s box.
Swift also wrote that “Trav and I” plan to attend a Fever game in 2025, so don’t be surprised if the celebrity couple end up courtside at some point in the near future.
Clark is a longtime Swiftie, so it’s possible this acknowledgment from the superstar meant more to the 22-year-old than the TIME honor.
There aren’t many people who have experienced Swift and Clark’s level of fame, so the budding friends already have that in common.
Swift hasn’t attended any of Kansas City’s away games during the 2024 season, which is in part because her security team would have to secure each stadium in advance.
This is something that Clark is also dealing with now, as she has hired her own security team. When Clark attended the two Swift concerts at Lucas Oil Stadium, her security team “gave her a 30-page pdf with instructions on how to navigate movements” at the shows.
Swift recently wrapped up her “Eras Tour” with her final performance on Dec. 8 in Vancouver. Meanwhile, Clark is getting ready for her sophomore season in the WNBA, which will get underway on May 16, 2025.