NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce have landed a huge podcast deal with Amazon, reportedly worth $100 million (£75 million). This three-year agreement gives Amazon’s Wondery audio network exclusive rights to their popular podcast, New Heights. The Kelce brothers, known for their brotherly humor and engaging discussions, started the podcast in 2022, interviewing celebrities and sharing their own stories.
Travis, a Kansas City Chiefs player and three-time Super Bowl champion, gained additional fame as the boyfriend of pop superstar Taylor Swift. Jason, who recently retired from the Philadelphia Eagles after 13 seasons, now works as an analyst for ESPN.
The deal highlights the growing popularity of sports podcasts, with New Heights even winning Podcast of the Year at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards. Wondery boss Jen Sargent praised the podcast for becoming a cultural phenomenon beyond just sports.
The podcast industry has seen significant growth, with Nielsen reporting a 45% increase in American listeners over the past five years, now totaling 183 million. This trend is mirrored in the UK, where podcast ad revenue has soared. The Kelces’ deal with Wondery follows similar big-money podcast deals, such as Joe Rogan’s $100 million partnership with Spotify.
Earlier this year, it was also announced that Travis Kelce would host the U.S. game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, also for Amazon. BBC has provided information about these developments, offering insight into the booming podcast industry and the Kelce brothers’ continued success.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxl1wnpjgyo