NFL Stars Travis and Jason Kelce Secure $100M Podcast Deal with Amazon
NFL siblings Travis and Jason Kelce have inked a blockbuster three-year podcast deal with Amazon, reportedly valued at $100 million (£75 million). Announced on Tuesday, the agreement grants Amazon’s Wondery audio network exclusive multimedia rights to the brothers’ widely popular New Heights podcast.
Expressing their enthusiasm for the partnership, the Kelce brothers stated they “couldn’t be more excited” as they prepare for the third season of their show. Launched in 2022, the New Heights podcast quickly gained a massive following, blending interviews with celebrity guests and the brothers’ personal stories, all delivered with their signature brotherly humor.
Travis Kelce, 34, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, has recently gained even more public attention due to his relationship with pop icon Taylor Swift. His elder brother, Jason Kelce, 36, retired after a 13-season career with the Philadelphia Eagles and has since transitioned into a sports analyst role with ESPN.
The Kelce brothers’ deal with Amazon underscores the soaring popularity of sports podcasts and the podcasting medium as a whole. New Heights was honored as Podcast of the Year at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards, reflecting its cultural impact and widespread appeal.
Wondery CEO Jen Sargent remarked, “New Heights on the surface is a sports podcast, and sports is such a well-listened-to category. But it’s become a cultural phenomenon; they’re all in that zeitgeist.”
The growth of podcasting in recent years has been remarkable. According to Nielsen, the number of Americans tuning into podcasts has surged by 45% in the last five years, reaching 183 million listeners. This trend is mirrored in the UK, where podcast ad revenue has skyrocketed, contributing to a multi-billion-dollar global industry, according to PwC.
The Kelce brothers’ deal with Wondery follows closely on the heels of Amazon’s similar agreement with comedian and podcaster Dax Shepard. Other high-profile, high-value podcast deals include Joe Rogan’s $100 million partnership with Spotify and Alex Cooper’s move to SiriusXM. In addition to their podcast success, Travis Kelce is set to host the upcoming Amazon game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, further expanding his media presence.
