LOS ANGELES, Aug 25: Travis Kelce’s managers have been working diligently to secure a breakout moment for the NFL star in Hollywood, well before his relationship with Taylor Swift drew widespread attention. According to the New York Times, Kelce’s business managers, André and Aaron Eanes, predicted in 2022 that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end could achieve fame comparable to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. It appears their strategy is on track.

At 34 years old, Kelce has already made significant strides in his career outside of football. He has won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs and has ventured into various projects. Kelce co-hosts the popular culture and sports podcast "New Heights" with his brother, Jason Kelce. Additionally, he has appeared in commercials for major brands, starred in the 2016 E! reality dating show "Catching Kelce," and hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 2023.

Jane Owen, a Hollywood PR expert, told Yahoo Entertainment that athletes often have short career spans and advised leveraging current visibility. “If I was on his team, I would be pushing him to capitalize on his current spotlight massively,” Owen said. “He has the trifecta of good looks, charisma, and is at the top of his game.”

While Kelce’s efforts to gain cultural relevance have been ongoing, his relationship with Swift has accelerated his prominence. Throughout the 2023-2024 football season, Kelce’s visibility has soared. Owen noted that dating one of the world’s most famous personalities is unlikely to hurt Kelce’s career. It appears his ambition to break into the entertainment industry has been a long-standing goal.

Talent manager and publicist Toni Ferrara told Yahoo Entertainment that many athletes aspire to enter the entertainment industry due to their inherent charisma and large fan bases. “With huge fan bases and followers who can easily convert to eyes for TV shows and ticket sales, it’s a marketing dream,” Ferrara said. She cited Michael Strahan as a notable example of an athlete who successfully transitioned to a prominent on-camera career.

Kelce’s hosting endeavors are just one aspect of his expanding career. Fans can look forward to seeing him in various projects beyond the football field.