Travis Kelce is still suiting up for the Kansas City Chiefs, but the competition for his next act may already be taking shape.
On Friday’s episode of “Pardon My Take,” Pro Football Talk founder Mike Florio predicted that Kelce will be highly coveted in the broadcast market next offseason, with CBS, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video possibly locked in a three-way bidding war.
Mike Florio Predicts Networks Will Line Up for Chiefs Star Travis Kelce
Florio made the call a day after Troy Aikman hinted that he may be leaving ESPN after this season since he has yet to sign a contract extension with the network. Aikman pointed out that he’ll be a “free agent” at the end of this season and that he’s “looking forward to… where my next landing spot might be.” Aikman’s booth partner Joe Buck reportedly inked a six-year, $108-million extension with ESPN recently.
Kelce has been eyeing a broadcasting job for a while, according to Florio.
“Last year, Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen were inquiring with Amazon about whether or not the Prime Video spot would be available this year, and Kirk Herbstreit was still under contract,” Florio explained.
“He’s already got the relationship with Amazon with ‘New Heights,’ but his brother’s already got the relationship in place with ESPN, and he’s going to be the one. He’s going to be the one they all want.”
Amazon distributes “New Heights,” Travis’ podcast that he co-hosts with his brother Jason, who is an ESPN analyst.
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Florio believes all three networks could be looking for a splashy hire like Kelce.
“As it stands, CBS is going to be looking, ESPN is going to be looking, and Prime Video did that extension with Herbstreit, which basically has a clause that says if we find anyone better, we can tear up your contract,” Florio explained.
Notably, CBS parted ways with Tony Romo earlier this month and will keep J.J. Watt next to Jim Nantz for the rest of the season. Herbstreit’s extension reportedly lets Prime Video move on if Rams head coach Sean McVay or another top target becomes available, as Florio noted.
Florio also named McVay as an option for Amazon and ESPN, but he predicted that Kelce would be the networks’ first choice. Kelce has become a household name due to his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift and massively successful podcast.
“There could be a three-way bidding war for Travis Kelce, and I think they’re all going to want him. And I think he’s going to be in a booth somewhere next year,” Florio concluded.
Troy Aikman’s Uncertain Future Puts the ESPN Seat in Play
Florio’s prediction caps a tense week for ESPN’s top booth.
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On Wednesday, Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported that Aikman and Buck got into an argument over their contract situations in the booth prior to Monday’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. Aikman addressed it Thursday on 96.7 The Ticket in Dallas, and his comments made the rounds. This is when he spoke about finding his “next landing spot.”
Later Thursday, Aikman went further, telling Jimmy Traina: “It just seems to be where they’re going, that they’re gonna go in a different direction because there’s been no talks, no contract negotiations.”
He added that the Super Bowl is Feb. 14 and his contract ends in March.
For now, Aikman and Buck will keep calling games together through the Super Bowl. Kelce still has the rest of a season to play in Kansas City, and whether the booth comes next is a decision only he can make.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.