September 29, 2023
Travis Kelce is in his Taylor Swift era—and it could make the Kansas City Chiefs tight end as much as $10 million in off-the-field earnings, a sports marketing expert recently told Insider.
“It’s estimated Kelce currently makes around $5 million a year in off-the-field earnings, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he doubles that number,” says Bob Dorfman, the Creative Director at marketing agency Pinnacle Advertising, according to the outlet.
“Kelce was already one of football’s most successful endorsers before his hot romance, but now he’s sizzling hot—swiftly grabbing the attention and buying power of a whole new fan base and demographic.”
The 33-year-old “Blank Space” singer has a notoriously loyal —and large—fan base, the “Swifties,” who have been anxiously awaiting the hard launch of Swift’s rumored relationship with Kelce and were overjoyed when the pop icon took sports headlines by storm over the weekend.
Since Swift appeared at the Chiefs-versus-Chicago Bears game on Sunday, September 24, Kelce saw a 400% increase in merchandise sales in the 24 hours after the Chiefs’ 41-10 victory, skyrocketing his No. 87 jersey into the NFL’s top-five best sellers — a result of the so-called “Taylor Swift effect.”
Since Swift appeared at her rumored beau’s game on Sunday, Kelce’s jersey has been among the NFL’s top-five best sellers, and he gained over 300,000 followers on social media.
Although the terms of Kelce’s royalty agreement with the league are unclear, revenue-sharing agreements could earn popular players millions.
For reference, the player who earned the second-highest amount of royalties was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who earned $3.3 million during the same one-year period.
Meanwhile, Kelce has also seen his social media reach grow by over 300,000 since Sunday.
“New Heights”—the podcast Kelce co-hosts with his older brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce —has jumped to No. 1 on Apple Podcasts and No. 2 on Spotify.
The two-time Super Bowl champ’s recent swell in online success could translate into to big bucks, as brands looking for endorsers pay up according to follower count and engagement.
Kelce’s Instagram, where he goes by @killatrav, boasts over 3.5 million followers as of Thursday, September 28—a figure that could have brands dishing out as much as $500,000 for a single post on Kelce’s feed, according to USA Today.
In addition, “New Heights” jumped to No. 1 on Apple Podcasts and No. 2 on Spotify.
Research contact: @InsiderNews
