I can’t predict whether Travis Kelce will announce his retirement from the NFL soon, but I have a hunch that he won’t. However, if he does decide to hang up his cleats, it will be a major story not just for the NFL but for the sports media landscape as well. Just as his brother’s transition created a significant buzz last year, Kelce’s departure would capture attention beyond the gridiron.
As I mentioned in my preview of the NFL’s biggest offseason narratives, he might very well emerge as the most coveted sports media free agent in recent memory. Sports Illustrated‘s Jimmy Traina even suggested that the future Hall of Fame tight end could be the “biggest sports media free agent ever.” If Jason can command a reported three-year, $24 million deal from ESPN, just imagine what his more famous and, let’s be honest, more camera-friendly younger brother might earn if he ventures into broadcasting.
While I do expect Kelce to maintain some presence in NFL media following his playing career, we might be overestimating what that could entail. Travis Kelce is not simply football famous; he is famous famous. Typically, those who reach such a level of celebrity don’t spend their Sundays covering football games. There are exceptions, of course, but it’s noteworthy that Tom Brady’s decision to become a broadcaster was unexpected given his legendary status. Most famous athletes usually have different ambitions, and Kelce already seems to align with this trend.
A New York Times profile last spring highlighted the strategies used by Kelce’s managers to elevate his status to A-list celebrity, likening his fame to that of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Although Kelce isn’t at that level yet, his IMDB page is shaping up with upcoming projects, including a role in the eagerly awaited Happy Gilmore sequel. While it’s uncertain if he will continue his NFL career in Kansas City, all signs suggest he may gravitate more toward Hollywood than Bristol, Connecticut, after he retires from football.
Though it’s hard to envision him participating in a pre-game show or hosting a late-night variety show like Jason does for ESPN, I could be wrong. I was sure that Brady wouldn’t make it to the Fox booth, and then he called the Super Bowl. If I had to guess, I’d expect a limited role for Travis in NFL media, perhaps akin to a ManningCast-style alt-cast with Jason, featuring even fewer games than what Peyton and Eli cover.
Considering the empire that the Kelce brothers have built with their New Heights podcast, it seems that would provide enough of a bridge for Travis to stay connected to football while pursuing various acting and endorsement deals that will undoubtedly come his way. If he truly desires to achieve The Rock’s level of fame, I’d bet against him having a significant presence in NFL media. Since transitioning from WWE to Hollywood in 2003, The People’s Champ has minimized his ties to wrestling. I suspect Kelce may do something similar, commenting on football occasionally but in a limited capacity.
Ultimately, this could be beneficial, as there’s a case to be made that we are already inching toward “Peak Kelce” in terms of overexposure. Rather than bombarding us with Travis and Jason every Sunday and/or Monday, it would be more impactful for him to make special appearances, delighting us with his insights and his signature catchphrase: “Alright, nah.” Like all things in sports and entertainment, Kelce’s future in the media landscape will ultimately depend on the opportunities that come his way, suggesting his post-retirement plans may differ from what many of us have anticipated.
