NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce have secured a groundbreaking podcast deal with Amazon, valued at approximately $100 million (£75 million). The three-year agreement, announced on Tuesday, grants Wondery exclusive multimedia rights to the Kelce brothers’ popular podcast, New Heights.
Launched in 2022, New Heights has captivated audiences with its blend of celebrity interviews and personal anecdotes, delivered with the Kelces’ signature brotherly humor. Travis, 34, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs and recent high-profile figure due to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift, and Jason, 36, who recently retired from the Philadelphia Eagles and now serves as an ESPN analyst, are set to embark on the podcast’s third season under this new deal.
The agreement underscores the growing trend and financial potential in the podcasting industry. New Heights was honored as Podcast of the Year at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards, reflecting its significant cultural impact. Jen Sargent, Wondery’s head, noted that while the podcast may appear as a typical sports show, it has become a cultural phenomenon that resonates widely.
The rise of podcasting is evident from Nielsen’s recent data, which shows a 45% increase in American podcast listeners over the past five years, bringing the total to 183 million. This trend is mirrored in the UK, with global podcast ad revenue surging to billions, according to PwC. The shift in media consumption, particularly among younger audiences favoring podcasts over traditional TV, is driving this boom.
The Kelces’ deal follows similar high-profile agreements, including Joe Rogan’s $100 million deal with Spotify and Alex Cooper’s move to Sirius XM. The podcasting landscape continues to evolve with substantial investments and growing listener engagement, marking a new era for digital media.