Kayla Nicole, the former girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, appeared in a Super Bowl LX commercial that drew attention for what many viewed as a subtle jab at her ex and his fiancée, pop superstar Taylor Swift.
The advertisement, which aired during the big game on Feb. 8, 2026, promoted the fantasy sports app Sleeper. It featured a parody setup called “The Ex-communicators,” where celebrities played unqualified “emotional injury specialists” helping people cope with high-profile breakups.
Tiffany Haddish and NBA player Ben Simmons starred as the bumbling specialists, offering over-the-top, incompetent advice in a mock therapy session for the heartbroken.
Ever had a bad breakup? 🥀
The Ex-Communicators are HERE to confront your Ex so you don't have to 🤝 #SleeperTeamPicks pic.twitter.com/U7WDgZD0wd
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) February 8, 2026
Nicole entered the scene introduced simply as the “ex of a certain NFL player.” Dressed in a pink suit, she quickly dismissed the pair’s expertise with a deadpan line: “Don’t get me started on these two. They have no idea what they’re doing at all.”
The shade escalated with wordplay that many interpreted as a direct nod to Swift. In one moment, Nicole corrected someone from “quickly” to “swiftly,” a play on Swift’s name that fueled speculation of a targeted dig at her ex’s current relationship.
Kelce and Nicole dated on and off from 2017 to 2022. He began his high-profile romance with Swift in 2023, and the couple got engaged, with Swift now referred to as his fiancée in reports surrounding the ad.
The commercial leaned into themes of post-breakup pettiness and moving on, ending with a pitch for Sleeper as the place to handle fantasy sports drama without the emotional baggage.
Fans and media outlets, including Page Six and Pro Football Network, highlighted the cameo as a sly reference to Nicole’s past with Kelce and his move to Swift. Reactions online were mixed, with some praising the humor and timing, while others criticized it as lingering bitterness, especially given Kelce’s absence from the Super Bowl matchup (which featured the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in a nod to past rivalries).
The ad joined a trend of Super Bowl spots playing on celebrity exes and personal drama. For instance, Kendall Jenner appeared in a Fanatics commercial trolling her past relationships with basketball players and poking fun at the so-called “Kardashian curse.”
Nicole’s role sparked backlash from some NFL fans, who called it “loser behavior” or attention-seeking, but it also underscored how personal histories can intersect with major events like the Super Bowl for viral moments. The spot remained a talking point long after the final whistle, blending sports, entertainment and a dash of real-life shade.
