Travis Kelce’s two-year public relationship with global pop star Taylor Swift has been a boon to the coffers of the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs, as new waves of fans have engaged with the league and reigning AFC champions. It has also boosted the bank account of the seven-time All-Pro tight end.
Kelce earned $3.25 million from group licensing deals during the 2024 season, according to the NFL Players Association’s annual report filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. That haul is up from $2.4 million in 2023 and $874,949 in 2022.
In February, Kelce played in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in six years, and he ranked second for licensing income. The NFL leader has never played a regular-season snap.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy ranked first at $4 million from the players association for the 12 months through February. McCarthy’s rookie campaign ended before it began when he tore the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason.
It is a massive payout, and the highest since Tom Brady’s final two seasons when he earned $9.5 million in 2021 and $6.8 million in 2022. Last year, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes ranked first at $3.6 million. Mahome’s licensing income dipped to $1.9 million in 2024, sixth among active players.
High-profile rookies often receive a boost in their first season, as their new jerseys and merchandise are in high demand. McCarthy was also coming off a national title at Michigan, which carries a significant national following. He had been expected to challenge for the Vikings’ starting quarterback role before his injury.
Group licensing deals are negotiated by the NFLPA for multiple players, encompassing jerseys, trading cards, video games and other categories. The union’s LM-2 report displays many LLCs that are registered to players—Kelce’s is TMK Enterprises LLC, Mahomes’ is 2PM LLC and Brady’s funds are directed to T.E.B. Capital Management. McCarthy has set up Newberry Raised LLC, with a similarly named corporation registered to an Ann Arbor, Mich., address and Jonathan J. McCarthy as the agent.
Other top earners in the LM-2 report are quarterbacks Justin Herbert ($2.55 million) and Josh Allen ($2.1 million), as well as running back Christian McCaffrey ($2 million) and wide receiver Justin Jefferson ($1.7 million). McCaffrey’s teammate Brock Purdy received $309,374, and an entity, MARK835 LLC, that has the same address as a home owned by Purdy’s father Shawn, got $1.7 million. Purdy’s total payday was $2 million, assuming both paychecks went to the 49ers QB, who signed a five-year, $265 million extension with the Niners in March.
Some retired players continue to cash in via licensing. Peyton Manning retired after the 2015 season, but only three active players earned more than his $2.2 million. Rob Gronkowski earned $1.3 million, down from $1.9 million in 2023, while Jason Kelce pulled in $990,060 and Brady was at $549,642.
Overall, 21 current and retired NFL players earned at least $1 million, down from 22 the prior year. Almost every NFL player received at least $38,000 from the PA.
The royalty payments from the NFLPA are a blip compared to what players make on the field. Twenty NFL stars made at least $35 million last year from their playing salaries and bonuses. The 15 highest-paid players earned a combined $1.1 billion from their teams, endorsements, memorabilia and licensing. Last year, Kelce and Mahomes both made more than $25 million off the field and roughly twice as much as any other NFL player.
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