A federal judge has warned lawyers against legal maneuvering that he said may be intended to “promote scandal arising out of unproven potentially libelous statements'' as it relates to Taylor Swift ... and in theory her boyfriend, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman this week struck from the court’s docket a letter from Bryan Freedman, representing Justin Baldoni, accusing Blake Lively's legal team of trying to extort Swift.
The assertion: That the actress Lively, in her harassment suit against Baldoni, demanded that Swift issue a public statement in support of the actress - and that if Swift failed to do so, her friend Lively would release to the public text messages of a private nature.
Taylor Swift is the most famous Chiefs fan on the planet. By virtue of her relationship with Kelce, among the sport’s most recognizable names, she quickly became one of the biggest storylines of the 2023 season.
Attending Chiefs games became a spectacle, and she single-handedly changed the demographic makeup of NFL fans, inviting millions to root for Kelce and Kansas City in their pursuit of a title.
Frequently joining Swift in her Arrowhead Stadium suite was Lively, who is considered one of the singer’s best friends. That might not be the case in 2025 as Swift's name gets dragged about here.
“In late April, a source told PEOPLE that Swift ‘was really hurt’ after being implicated in Lively's legal fight but that the stars were working to ‘put it all behind them,’" Benjamin VanHoose and Sean Mandell wrote. “According to a complaint Baldoni filed in January, Lively referred to the pop star as one of her ‘dragons’ in an alleged text exchange.
“Now, however, a source close to the legal battle says the subpoena — which was served on May 8 — has ‘fractured’ the ‘fragile peace’ between Lively and Swift, who is godmother to the actress' four kids with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, 48.”
It isn’t immediately clear whether Swift has merely taken offense at Lively’s comments or is distancing herself from the potential damage from Lively and Baldoni’s clash.
But the judge's ruling will lessen some of the damage.
Meanwhile ...
"Their friendship has halted," PEOPLE reported. "Taylor wants no part in this (Lively) drama."
Swift is expected to return to Chiefs games in 2025, in what might be Kelce’s final season. He contemplated retirement after the Super Bowl 59 loss, and as he ages out of his prime, the media deals he’s striking with his brother, Jason Kelce, make retirement that much more enticing.
Her first opportunity to watch Kansas City at home will be Week 2 in a Super Bowl rematch against Swift’s hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles.