In a recent development, NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce have signed a deal with Amazon’s podcast studio Wondery for their podcast “New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce.” The agreement includes exclusive ad-sales and distribution rights for all audio and video episodes, as well as the back catalog. The deal is estimated to be over $100 million and will go into effect this month, coinciding with the start of the latest NFL season. “New Heights” is a popular sports podcast that offers commentary, insight, and interviews about the NFL by the Kelce brothers, ranking as one of the top sports podcasts, particularly during football season.
After 13 years in the NFL, Jason Kelce retired from the Philadelphia Eagles this year, while Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end, has just won his third Super Bowl ring. Both brothers expressed their excitement about the partnership with Wondery and the potential to reach new heights with their podcast. The distribution deal with Wondery does not restrict listeners from accessing the podcast on other platforms like Spotify or Apple Music; it simply entails that Wondery will have advertising and distribution rights, and subscribers may receive exclusive perks such as ad-free listening and early access to episodes.
The Kelce brothers’ deal with Wondery is part of a trend in the podcasting industry, where high-profile podcast hosts are securing lucrative agreements with major platforms. For instance, “Call Her Daddy” host Alex Cooper recently signed a deal with SiriusXM worth $125 million over three years, giving the platform exclusive rights to advertising, distribution, and other content events. This agreement represents a significant increase from Cooper’s previous deal with Spotify. Similarly, actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes left Amazon to bring their podcast “SmartLess” to SiriusXM in a $100 million three-year deal in January.
These blockbuster podcasting deals showcase the growing potential and influence of podcasts as a medium for content creators to reach audiences and monetize their platforms. The partnerships between podcast hosts and platforms like Wondery and SiriusXM highlight the value of exclusive content and distribution rights in attracting subscribers and generating revenue. As podcasting continues to gain popularity and evolve as a form of entertainment and information sharing, we can expect to see more high-value deals being struck between podcast hosts and streaming platforms in the future.
The Kelce brothers’ decision to partner with Wondery for their podcast underscores the opportunities for sports personalities to leverage their expertise and fan base in the podcasting industry. By providing unique insights, interviews, and commentary on the NFL, the Kelce brothers have built a dedicated audience that has grown over the course of two seasons. With Wondery’s support, they aim to further expand their reach and engage with listeners in new and innovative ways, offering exclusive content and experiences to their audience.
Overall, the latest podcasting deals, including the Kelce brothers’ agreement with Wondery, signal a shift in the podcasting landscape towards larger investments in content creation and distribution. As top hosts and personalities capitalize on the growing demand for original and engaging podcast content, we can anticipate more groundbreaking partnerships and deals to emerge, further solidifying the podcasting industry’s position as a high-growth sector in the media and entertainment landscape.
