NFL star Travis Kelce made a notable return to the Chiefs’ training camp today, warmly greeting the adoring fans who had lined up outside to see him.
The excitement surrounding Kelce isn’t just about his on-field prowess; the news of a potential blockbuster $100 million podcast deal has also been making waves.
Kelce, known as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, is reportedly in talks to sign a major deal alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jason Kelce.
The brothers co-host the highly popular “New Heights” podcast, which has become one of the most downloaded in the industry over the past 12 months. This surge in popularity has been significantly boosted by Travis Kelce’s high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon-owned podcast network Wondery has been negotiating with the Kelce brothers’ representatives about landing the substantial deal. If successful, the Kelces would join the ranks of the highest-paid podcasters, alongside industry giants Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper. Rogan recently extended his partnership with Spotify for a reported $250 million, while Cooper is in discussions with Sirius for a $100 million deal.
“New Heights,” recorded and released every Wednesday, initially gained traction as the most listened-to NFL podcast upon its launch in 2022. However, it saw a significant boost in listenership after Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift went public with their relationship. The podcast’s appeal grew when Travis shared his amusing story of attempting to give Swift his phone number during one of her performances at the Chiefs’ NFL stadium. Their relationship was later confirmed when Swift attended a game three months after the podcast episode.
Since then, Swift and Kelce have been frequently spotted together at various events, including 13 different NFL games. Kelce has also supported Swift by attending her concerts in Argentina, England, Australia, France, and most recently, Germany.
The “New Heights” podcast has evolved into various formats since its inception. These include their standard conference-style setup with each brother reporting from different locations, live episodes at unique venues such as a Philadelphia-themed pub in London, and a live show at the University of Cincinnati.
Jason Kelce, who retired from the NFL after 13 seasons in March, is set to join ESPN as an analyst for Monday Night Countdown. This new role will not be affected by the reported podcast deal with Wondery.
As Travis Kelce rejoins the Chiefs for the start of training camp, he and his team are focused on making history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. With his off-field ventures and continued success on the field, Kelce’s star power shows no signs of dimming.
4o