Jason Kelce may not be a regular feature on ESPN, but when he does show up, he’s undoubtedly earning his keep. After concluding his playing career, the former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center quickly became a sought-after figure in sports media, and he has made the most of it. The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that Kelce signed a three-year, $24 million deal with ESPN ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
“He had offers from nearly every major network, before going with the highest known bidder in ESPN…”
In simpler terms, Jason Kelce is raking in Justin Simmons-level money at $8 million per year, comparable to his earnings during the latter part of his career in Philadelphia. Beyond his appearances on Monday Night Countdown alongside Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, and Marcus Spears, Kelce has also launched his own late-night show, They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce. While the show hasn’t ignited much enthusiasm — as reflected in its modest ratings — ESPN remains committed to the project. Despite a less-than-stellar debut, ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus is optimistic that the show will continue beyond the Super Bowl.
However, Kelce’s main role is driving significant revenue. His participation in Monday Night Football — a flagship program for ESPN — followed a competitive bidding process among numerous networks, including ESPN itself. Additionally, with Jason Kelce already in place at ESPN, it’s likely to give his current employer a head start in securing Travis Kelce when his playing days come to an end. Given the demand, ESPN’s strategy appears to be a well-calculated move.
