But that box is breaking, players said, as franchises begin to recognize the value of life outside the field of marketing players. Los Angeles Rams now produce a podcast with quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp. Before the start of Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold his podcast in April, he alerted the team’s public relations staff, who quickly recommended he enter a development program. broadcast training camp.
“Football is becoming more and more entertainment,” Ingold said. “All of these touch points allow fans to get closer to their favorite players and, I think, become more invested in the product on the field on Sundays.”
In the summer of 2022, the Kelces moved forward with their podcast with Wave sports + entertainment.
Both brothers were initially worried about distracting their teams, but Jason Kelce said they became more comfortable after seeing Lewan and Compton’s hit show. They were later influenced by basketball player Draymond Green, who documented the Golden State Warriors’ 2021-22 championship seasonincluding an episode from his hotel room after being kicked out of a playoff game.
The Kelces informed their teams’ public relations teams that they were starting “New Heights” — a play about Cleveland Heights, Ohio, their hometown — and Wave sent crews to their house to set up recording equipment . Shows are usually taped on Tuesdays, a normal day off for NFL players.
“When it comes to athletes, they are creatures of habit, so as long as we can find time for them weekly to dedicate to it, it makes it very easy for them,” said Tunde St. Matthew-Daniel, senior vice president. of original content for Wave. “We have the operation around them; all they have to do is show up and get involved.
“New Heights” enjoyed early success thanks to the Kelce’s jovial nature, but broke down in February, when the pre-Super Bowl media frenzy focused heavily on the relationship between brothers. Another wave of new listeners and viewers arrived in September after Swift attended one of Travis Kelce’s games.
For many devoted Swift fans, the podcast has become their introduction to football.
“We were convinced it would be a good thing, but I don’t think anyone anticipated this growth,” Jason Kelce said. “We kind of hit lightning in a bottle.”
