NFL‘s self-dubbed “funniest family duo” is kicking off the new season with a lucrative deal with Amazon’s Wondery. Brothers Jason and Travis Kelce‘s popular New Heights weekly podcast have reportedly signed and exclusive-ad sales and distribution rights three-year deal with Wondery worth over $100 million USD.
The deal begins August 28, this week’s episode, timing it just at the beginning of the new NFL season. As per sources close to the deal, ESPN reports that the deal “ncludes the back catalog of podcast content along with exclusive rights to monetize and distribute audio and video episodes.” This would include the rights to create international audio adaptations of New Heights giving Wondery the exclusive monetary rights to distribute the episodes. In a statement the Kelce brothers said, “We couldn’t be more excited to team up with Wondery for the next phase of New Heights. We love this show, and the fanbase that has grown with us over the last two seasons. Wondery understands the shared vision and will offer a wealth of experience and resources to take us to New Heights! We are going to create some groundbreaking moments together through this partnership. We are thrilled to start Season 3 — see you soon, 92%ers!”
The brothers started the podcast just before the 2022 season as a way to discuss their life on and off the football field and engaging in conversations with celebrity guests. Its success landed the podcast many awards, including earning Podcast of the Year at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards. Wondery CEO Jen Sargent said, “New Heights‘ on the surface is a sports podcast, and sports is such a well-listened-to category. But it’s become a cultural phenomenon — they’re in that cultural zeitgeist.”
Jason Kelce recently retired from the Philadelphia Eagles while younger brother Travis is entering his 11th NFL season. The podcast will still be available widely across all platforms that service podcasts, however the deal will offer ad-free listening for Wondery+ subscribers, livestreams, and rights to develop, manufacture, license and distribute all merchandise based on New Heights. Wave Sports + Entertainment will continue to provide production services for “New Heights.” Catch the podcast on Wondery starting today.
