Travis Kelce once admitted going broke after spending rookie contract on Rolex and Marty McFlys
As of 2022, Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has earned approximately $65 million over his ten-year NFL career.
However, the two-time Super Bowl champion admitted that he had spent all the earnings from his rookie contract. In a January 2021 episode of the Club Shay Shay podcast, Kelce revealed to Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe:
"Man, I've spent it all, Shannon. I should have been on the (ESPN Documentary) 30 for 30: Broke."
The eight-time Pro Bowler added:
“One of the first things that I bought was, I'm a big sneaker fan. The Marty McFlys, man, the Back to the Future, and the Nike Air Max, were the first purchase, the kicks that I got. I knew I wanted them ever since I saw him self-tied themselves on McFly's feet."
"On top of that, I always wanted a Rollie (Rolex watch). So I went out and got myself a Rollie from a Kansas City jewelry shop, man. I was walking into this empty apartment with some Marty McFlys on and a Rolex. I felt I was the coolest guy in the world."
Travis Kelce initially signed a four-year rookie deal worth $3.1 million after being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he earned $1.1 million. However, as one of the premier tight ends in the league, he went on to sign more lucrative contracts. In 2016, he agreed to a renegotiated five-year, $46.8 million contract extension, including $10.5 million in guaranteed money.
For the 2023 season, Travis Kelce will be playing under a four-year $57.2 million contract extension he signed in 2020. This deal keeps him in Kansas City until 2025. He might get another deal if he keeps his current level of production.
Kelce is currently on a 4 yr $57.2M contract (2nd highest paid TE in the NFL).
And makes ~$5M/yr from endorsements:
• Nike
• Tide
• T-Mobile
• Old Spice
• Walgreens
• McDonald's
• Papa John’s
• Sleep Number
• Dick’s Sporting Goods
He's leveraged this into... https://t.co/vXhxUMCBFE
Aside from seven All-Pro selections, he has seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, a record for NFL tight ends. He also holds the league record for most 100-reception seasons by a tight end with three. His 1,416 yards in 2020 are also the most for a tight end in a single season.
Travis Kelce learned to handle his finances better
The former Cincinnati Bearcat gave this advice on the same Club Shay Shay episode:
"All the young guys in the league, all the guys that have the opportunity to, you know, get that big first check from the NFL, save it, man. Find a financial adviser that you trust that's gonna do right with your money."
He did that and is now reaping the fruits of his labor. He became an angel investor for companies like Hydrow, RealTruck, INDOCHINO, and ThePlayersTV. He also invested in Kodiak, which provides protein-powered breakfast options, and Cholula Hot Sauce.
Travis Kelce also leveraged his fame to build his own companies. Aside from the tequila soda Casa Azul Spirits, he also launched Hilo Nutrition and the premium clothing brand Tru Kolors. He also created Kelce’s Krunch cereal and founded the Kelce Jam music festival.
He also hosts the New Heights podcast with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. The show is co-produced by Wave Sports and Entertainment and pulled in up to $2 million in revenue for year one.
Even without these endeavors, the younger Kelce earns up to $5 million in endorsements with Nike, Tide, T-Mobile, and Old Spice, to name a few. He might even have a stint in the WWE like his fellow tight end George Kittle.
These investments and revenue streams should make Travis Kelce settled for life. Not bad for someone who blew away his earnings and could barely afford to pay rent after his first year in the NFL.