What Is Travis Kelce’s Net Worth?
Travis Kelce, a prominent figure in American professional football, boasts a net worth of $90 million as of February 2025. This substantial wealth is a result of his successful career as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, lucrative endorsement deals, and strategic business ventures. Kelce’s journey to financial success began with his entry into the NFL in 2013 and has been marked by consistent performance, record-breaking achievements, and an increasing presence in the media and business world.
Travis Kelce’s NFL Salary and Career Earnings
Over his first ten years in the NFL, Travis Kelce accumulated nearly $80 million in salary. His initial contract with the Chiefs in 2013 was a four-year deal worth $3.12 million. This initial contract provided a foundation for his future earnings and allowed him to showcase his talent on the field. In 2016, recognizing his growing importance to the team, Kelce signed a five-year contract extension worth $46 million. This extension included $22 million in guaranteed money, averaging an annual salary of approximately $14 million. The 2016 contract was a significant step up, reflecting his value as one of the league’s top tight ends.
In late April 2024, Kelce further solidified his financial future by signing a two-year, $34.25 million extension with the Chiefs. This contract translates to an average annual salary of $17.125 million. By the time this contract concludes, his total NFL career earnings will exceed $100 million. The contract’s structure and guarantees provide Kelce with both financial security and the opportunity to continue competing at the highest level.
Beyond his NFL salary, Travis Kelce supplements his income with approximately $5 million annually from endorsements. He has partnered with numerous well-known brands, including McDonald’s, Nike, Papa John’s, Bud Light, State Farm, Sleep Number, Tide, Dick’s Sporting Goods, T-Mobile, Experian, Old Spice, Pfizer, Walgreens, and DirecTV. These endorsements reflect Kelce’s broad appeal and marketability, stemming from his on-field success, engaging personality, and growing celebrity status. Each endorsement likely involves a unique set of terms and deliverables, contributing to his diversified income stream.
Notably, in 2023, Kelce’s partnership with Pfizer to promote its COVID vaccine educational campaign drew attention. While some online claims suggested a $20 million payout for this endorsement, evidence indicates a more likely deal value closer to $1-2 million. The Pfizer campaign, like his Bud Light endorsement, faced criticism from certain conservative audiences. These partnerships highlight the potential for both financial gain and public scrutiny that come with high-profile endorsements.
“New Heights” Podcast Deal: A $100 Million Venture
In 2022, Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce launched a weekly podcast titled “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.” This podcast quickly gained popularity, attracting a large and engaged audience. In August 2024, the Kelce brothers capitalized on their podcast’s success by signing a three-year, $100 million deal with Amazon’s Wondery podcast service. This significant deal grants Wondery the rights to distribute the show and manage advertising sales. The $100 million figure is split between the two brothers, although the exact split is not publicly known.
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Born on October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio, to Donna and Ed Kelce, Travis Kelce’s early life laid the foundation for his future athletic achievements. He grew up alongside his older brother, Jason, who also became an NFL player. As a teenager, Kelce attended Cleveland Heights High School, where he participated in football, baseball, and basketball. His primary position was quarterback. During his senior year, Kelce earned All-Lake Erie League honors, accumulating 2,539 yards of total offense. These early accomplishments hinted at his potential as a versatile and impactful athlete.
For his college career, Kelce chose to attend the University of Cincinnati, where he joined his brother on the Bearcats football team. After redshirting in 2008, he recorded eight rushes for 47 yards and two touchdowns in 2009. In 2010, he was suspended for the season due to a failed drug test. He returned in 2011, setting personal records with 45 receptions and 722 receiving yards. His college career, despite the setback, demonstrated his resilience and emerging talent as a tight end.
Kansas City Chiefs Career: Milestones and Records
Travis Kelce’s career with the Kansas City Chiefs began in 2013 when he was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft. His first season was cut short due to a knee injury sustained in mid-October, which led to him being placed on injured reserve. He bounced back in 2014, recording his first NFL touchdown and his first game with over 100 receiving yards, finishing the season as the Chiefs’ leading receiver with 862 total yards. These early seasons laid the groundwork for his future success and established him as a key player in the Chiefs’ offense.
In 2015, Kelce had his first multi-touchdown game in a win against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs finished the regular season with an 11-5 record but lost to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round. In 2016, Kelce recorded career highs in yards (1,125) and receptions (85), helping the Chiefs finish atop the AFC West with a 12-4 record. Despite another Divisional Round loss, this time to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kelce’s individual performance continued to shine.
In 2017, Kelce recorded a career-high eight receiving touchdowns and finished second among tight ends with 1,038 receiving yards. Although the Chiefs lost to the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card Round, Kelce’s performance was consistently strong. In 2018, he helped lead the Chiefs to a first-place AFC West finish, though they fell to the Patriots in the AFC Championship. During a late-season game against the Chicago Bears in 2019, Kelce became the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 500 career receptions. He finished the season as the first tight end in NFL history with four consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards. The Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. This victory marked a significant milestone in Kelce’s career and added to his growing legacy.
The Chiefs reached the Super Bowl again the following year but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9. In 2021, Kelce set or extended records, including for most 1,000-yard seasons by a tight end (six). He also became the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 9,000 career yards. The Chiefs won in the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds before losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship. In 2022, Kelce again led his team to the postseason and Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs won 38-35, with Kelce playing a crucial role. He continued his outstanding performance in subsequent seasons, solidifying his position as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
Besides his NFL salary and podcast deal, Travis Kelce’s net worth is also bolstered by various endorsements and business ventures. As mentioned, he earns approximately $5 million per year from endorsements with companies such as McDonald’s, Nike, Papa John’s, Bud Light, State Farm, Sleep Number, Tide, Dick’s Sporting Goods, T-Mobile, Experian, Old Spice, Pfizer, Walgreens, and DirecTV. The specific financial terms of each endorsement deal are not publicly disclosed, but they contribute significantly to his annual income.
In February 2023, Kelce became an equity investor in Casa Azul Tequila, a brand founded by the same team that created Core water and Fuze tea. This investment reflects his interest in expanding his portfolio beyond endorsements and into ownership stakes. In October 2023, Taylor Swift was seen at one of Kelce’s games drinking Casa Azul Tequila, providing the brand with increased visibility and potential sales. The details of Kelce’s equity stake in Casa Azul are not public, but this strategic investment could yield significant returns in the future.
Real Estate Investments
Travis Kelce has also invested in real estate, adding to his overall net worth. In 2019, he purchased a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Kansas City, Missouri, for $995,000. In October 2023, he reportedly acquired a 16,000-square-foot mansion in a gated community in Kansas City for a little under $6 million. The specific address and details of these properties are not publicly available, but these investments represent a significant portion of his assets. Real estate holdings provide diversification and potential appreciation, contributing to the growth of his net worth.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
In addition to his professional and financial endeavors, Travis Kelce is known for his personal life and philanthropic activities. In September 2023, his relationship with Taylor Swift became public, significantly increasing his visibility and media attention. Kelce has a foundation called Eighty-Seven & Running, which he started in 2015. This foundation provides mentoring, training, and other opportunities to underserved youth. While the financial details of the foundation’s operations are not widely publicized, its charitable activities reflect Kelce’s commitment to giving back to the community. The foundation’s initiatives align with his brand and contribute to his public image, further enhancing his marketability and endorsement potential.