Taylor Swift was notably absent from the Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday, as her attention was focused on another important event—her highly anticipated Eras Tour, which had three back-to-back shows in Miami, Florida, over the weekend. While Swift couldn’t be at the game to support her boyfriend, Chiefs star Travis Kelce, she made a special gesture for one of her most vocal fans, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
Portnoy, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, attended night two of Swift’s Eras Tour in Miami. A longtime fan of Swift, Portnoy has stood by her through various public feuds, including her infamous conflicts with Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and music executive Scooter Braun.
The Boston native had previously attended Swift’s concert at MetLife Stadium in New York City and was eager to return for another performance in Miami. To his surprise, when Portnoy arrived at the show, there was a handwritten letter from Swift waiting for him in his suite.
The letter, penned by Swift herself, expressed gratitude for Portnoy’s unwavering support over the years. “Dave,” the letter began. “I’m so happy to have you at the show tonight! I wanted to say thank you for always being so supportive, so loyal, and for having my back when a lot of people didn’t. I hope you have a blast tonight!” Swift’s personal note acknowledged the loyalty Portnoy has shown her, especially during challenging times in her career.
Portnoy has famously stood by Swift during her high-profile feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, as well as her ongoing battle with Scooter Braun over the ownership of her master recordings.
At one point, Portnoy even mocked Braun in a phone call regarding Barstool Sports talent, demonstrating his loyalty to Swift. Beyond her music career, Portnoy has also supported Swift’s political stance, even when their views diverged.
When Swift endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for the 2024 election, Portnoy was quick to clarify his stance on the matter. “As the king of the Swifties, people are asking me what I think of her Kamala endorsement. I don’t care at all. People can vote for whoever they want in this country. How somebody votes will never change my opinion of a person. I’m voting the other way, but to each their own,” he wrote on social media, respecting her right to support the candidates of her choice.
In addition to receiving the letter, Portnoy has been proudly sporting a unique Eras Tour jacket at Swift’s concerts. The jacket, dubbed the “Dave’s Eras Jacket,” has traveled the globe, being passed from fan to fan, and collecting stories and friendship bracelets along the way.
The jacket finally made its way back to Portnoy in time for the Miami concert, and he shared his excitement about it online. “I don’t care what anybody says. The @daveserasjacket is one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of. I didn’t even realize how cool it was until I got the jacket back with all the stories and friendship bracelets from around the world. See everybody for Miami Night 2,” he posted, proudly showing off the piece of fan memorabilia.
The weekend shows in Miami were a huge success, with both Swift and her fans, including Portnoy, having an unforgettable time. Portnoy’s personal connection with Swift, cemented by her thoughtful letter, is a testament to the strong bond between the superstar and her most dedicated supporters.
