Helmets Off, Mics Up: N.F.L. Players Discover the Power of Podcasts

The N.F.L. tends to suppress individuality, but podcasts from stars like the Kelce brothers, Micah Parsons and Tyreek Hill are popping up as valuable portals to fans.

Travis Kelce (left) and his brother Jason, both wearing sports jerseys, sit in chairs with coffee cups between them. Jason is pointing at Travis. On their podcast “New Heights,” the brothers Travis Kelce, left, and Jason Kelce, wearing Travis’s Chiefs jersey, have discussed quarterback sneaks and interviewed Commissioner Roger Goodell.Credit…Wave Sports + Entertainment

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Hours after winning a playoff game with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, tight end Travis Kelce chatted with his older brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, about the intricacies of blocking defensive linemen while the siblings devoured dinner at a steakhouse.

As they laughed, Travis Kelce’s longtime manager, Aaron Eanes, realized that the moments delighting him could be projected to millions of viewers and listeners. Shortly after the meal, they all started talking seriously about putting together a podcast.

“New Heights,” the audio and video series that the Kelces began in September 2022, now consistently ranks as the top weekly sports podcast on Apple, Spotify and other platforms, fueled in part by their teams’ Super Bowl matchup in February and Travis Kelce’s budding relationship with the pop star Taylor Swift.

Emmanuel Morgan covers sports, primarily the N.F.L. He previously reported for the Los Angeles Times, where he covered both local N.F.L. franchises, writing features on players, personnel and on-field trends.