Travis Kelce expands business empire with major move for college athletes

Travis Kelce is expanding his business empire with a new venture aimed at helping college athletes navigate the complex world of name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities. The tight end, who is preparing for his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs, has partnered with Publicis Group and his commercial representation, 3 Arts Entertainment, to launch Tekta, a consulting service focused on NIL partnerships and brand activations.

Kelce explains that the service aims to bridge the gap between athletes and brands by providing education on branding, partnership basics, and financial literacy. He believes his own experience can help athletes understand contracts, marketing, and long-term brand value. Tekta will also offer guidance on career planning beyond playing days, an aspect that could prove invaluable for college athletes with a limited window to build a sustainable public profile.

Publicis Sports CEO Suzy Deering highlights the challenge brands face in creating partnerships that work at both local and national levels. The new venture, however, aims to address these pain points by combining the strengths of Publicis Sports, Kelce, and 3 Arts Sports. This unique combination allows them to seamlessly deliver tailored solutions for clients seeking to connect with customers on both local and wider scales.

As part of his growing business interests, Kelce is entering the 2026 NFL season after a strong 2025 campaign, where he recorded 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns, leading Kansas City in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Despite the Chiefs' 6-11 record and playoff absence, Kelce remains focused on his future career, both on and off the field.

He remains active through his brother Jason's "New Heights" podcast and their stake in Garage Beer, in addition to his charitable work through 87 and Running and Operation Breakthrough, and his co-ownership of 1587 Prime, a Kansas City steakhouse.