Travis Kelce bidding war expected after NFL star's TV inquiry
Travis Kelce bidding war expected after NFL star's TV inquiry
Matthew NeschisSat, October 17, 2026 at 10:10 PM UTC
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Networks and streaming companies are expected to engage in a bidding war for Travis Kelce's talents -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)
A handful of networks and streaming giants are expected to engage in a bidding war for Travis Kelce’s talents once the star tight end finally decides to hang up the cleats.
It seems Kelce — who drew backlash for his response to Shane Gillis’ controversial 'SNL' monologue — has already started laying the groundwork for his post-football life, with the 37-year-old dipping his toes into the entertainment industry. In recent years, he appeared in a small role in the Netflix movie 'Happy Gilmore 2' and hosted the Amazon Prime Video game show 'Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?’
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Kelce even inquired about the availability of Prime Video’s lead color commentator role for ‘Thursday Night Football,’ which is currently occupied by Kirk Herbstreit.
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“Last year, Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen were inquiring with Amazon about whether or not the Prime Video spot would be available next year,” Florio explained while making an appearance on ‘Pardon My Take.’
“And Kirk Herbstreit was still under contract. So, Kelce was looking at this last year.”
Last month, Herbstreit signed a new multi-year extension with Prime Video to continue as the lead ‘TNF’ analyst alongside Al Michaels.
Yet the deal, which reportedly features an average annual value worth over eight figures, includes a clause that would allow Amazon to sever ties with Herbstreit if a high-profile name becomes available.
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Travis Kelce reportedly expressed interest in Prime Video's lead NFL analyst job on TNF -Credit:Getty Images
While the caveat was widely viewed as an attempt to land Rams head coach Sean McVay someday, it could also be used to bring in Kelce.
He already is in good standing with Amazon, as his ‘New Heights’ podcast inked a $100 million-plus deal with the company’s Wondery in 2024.
Florio, however, expects Kelce to go down a different route, predicting that the Chiefs veteran will take over as ESPN’s lead color commentator on ‘Monday Night Football’ alongside Joe Buck next season.
“He’s already got the relationship with Amazon with New Heights, but his brother’s already got the relationship in place with ESPN,” Florio said, noting Jason Kelce’s position of studio analyst on ‘Monday Night Countdown.’ “And he’s going to be the one. He’s going to be the one they all want.”
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While Kelce remains undecided about his long-term playing future for the time being, the three-time Super Bowl champion acknowledged that numerous broadcasting and entertainment opportunities are waiting in the wings.
"I've been very fortunate to handle things on the field and off the field, to be able to set myself up and follow the footsteps of guys like Tony Gonzalez into the booth, if that's something that I want to do," Kelce told Gonzalez during an interview at 1587 Prime last year. "And obviously stay around the game somehow, some way.
"Other avenues, like acting like my guy Tony Gonzalez ... I'm just following him everywhere he's going right now. I'm very fortunate that you guys have opened those avenues and made it a success to where guys like me can maybe find that answer after football.
"But yeah, I've got to find out if that's the next chapter or if I'm still young and hungry and ready to play some football, man."
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
