Kendall Jenner is turning a long-running internet joke into a punchline during one of the biggest ad moments of the year. The model stars in her first-ever Super Bowl commercial, leaning into public curiosity about her dating history with humor and timing. Instead of sidestepping old rumors, she meets them head-on in a way that feels self-aware and controlled.
A Super Bowl debut with a sense of humor
The commercial was created for Fanatics Sportsbook and aired during halftime of the Super Bowl. In the spot, Jenner jokes about the so-called Kardashian Kurse, a theory that athletes struggle after dating someone from her famous family. Rather than deny it, she flips the narrative and claims she has been betting on it all along.
The tone stays light and playful, which keeps the ad from feeling defensive or pointed. Jenner delivers each line calmly, letting the humor land without forcing it. The approach makes the joke feel shared, not confrontational.
Referencing past NBA relationships
While no names are mentioned in the ad, the references are easy to connect. Jenner has previously been linked to NBA players Jordan Clarkson, Blake Griffin, Ben Simmons, and Devin Booker. Those relationships have been well documented over the years, making the jokes recognizable to longtime pop culture followers.

Kendall Jenner and Jordan Clarkson from the period when the two were romantically linked.
(Getty Images)
The ad includes moments where she highlights big purchases tied to former boyfriends missing playoffs or fading from the league. Each scene builds on the last, showing how she turns gossip into a running joke. The message is clear; she is aware of the narrative and comfortable owning it.
Turning rumors into branding
One reason the ad works is that it feels intentional rather than reactive. Jenner uses the platform to show she understands how people talk about her online. By doing so, she shifts the focus from speculation to self-written humor.

Kendall Jenner appears in a travel-themed moment from her Super Bowl commercial, styled in a minimalist look while stepping away from a vintage car.
(Fanatics Sportsbook / OBB Media / Sophie Sahara)
This strategy also fits with her broader public image. She tends to be more private than her sisters, but when she speaks, it is usually deliberate. The ad reinforces that balance between visibility and control.
A surprise shift toward football
Toward the end of the commercial, Jenner signals a new direction. She jokes that it might be time to bet on something new, football players. The line lands as both a punchline and a reset, suggesting she is done living inside old narratives.

A close-up shot highlights the Fanatics Sportsbook app interface as part of Kendall Jenner’s Super Bowl commercial storyline.
(Fanatics Sportsbook / OBB Media / Sophie Sahara)
It also connects cleanly to the Super Bowl setting. By tying the joke to football, she keeps the humor current and relevant. The moment feels less like gossip and more like clever timing.
What it says about her public approach
Jenner has often been cautious about how much of her personal life she shares. This ad suggests she is comfortable acknowledging the past, as long as she sets the terms. Humor becomes a way to close the door on speculation without making a statement.
For viewers, the result feels refreshing. It offers insight without oversharing and jokes without cruelty. In a media landscape full of loud moments, this one lands by staying relaxed and intentional.
Final thoughts
Kendall Jenner’s Super Bowl ad works because it feels honest, playful, and well-timed. She takes a familiar rumor and reshapes it into a moment she controls. By doing that, she reminds audiences that sometimes the best response to a long-running joke is to tell it yourself.