Donna Kelsey says Travis, Jason and Kylie joked about home renovations
Donna Kelce chats with USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa about her Florida home renovation making headlines while promoting her app GameChanger.
NEW YORK — Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce used their NFL careers to raise their profile and build strong brands that set them up for enough success in their post-playing days.
Donna Kelsey is happy with how her sons are doing, but she’s also glad they made it through college and the professional ranks.
Speaking with USA TODAY in partnership with the app GameChanger, Kelsey was asked if she could imagine what it would have been like if her sons had attended college during the NIL era. What was her reaction?
“That would be a nightmare,” Kelce said with a laugh. “I’m glad I don’t have to worry.”
Kelsey explained what she meant, highlighting her concern that young athletes lack resources to manage their money.
“If you think about it, it’s never a good thing that a lot of kids have a lot of money,” Kelce said. “And they don’t have any help. Usually in professional sports, there’s someone to help you, like a financial planner or something. And I feel so bad because these guys have money that could probably last them the rest of their lives if invested properly.”
Kelce wanted to make it clear that he is a supporter of NIL. He said the program is a “good idea” and that athletes are entitled to a portion of the revenue from college athletic departments.
“I’m not saying we shouldn’t have to pay them because the university makes so much money off of it,” Kelce said. “In my personal opinion, I think it could have been considered a little more in their favor.”
Kelsey points out that NIL has quickly grown into a billion-dollar industry, but the NCAA has largely failed to enforce universal regulations regarding it. As such, players have had to adapt to an ever-changing set of rules while learning how to manage their money, which can be life-changing in some cases.
When the NIL was first introduced in 2021, both Kelce brothers were well into their NFL careers. Despite this, the two have done well for themselves.
According to Spotrac.com, Jason finished his 12-season career earning $81.7 million from the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, Travis Kelce has earned just under $111.9 million in 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and is set to make another $12 million in 2026.
Add in the popularity of the brothers’ New Heights podcast, Jason’s deal with ESPN, countless sponsorship deals, and Travis’ impending wedding to Taylor Swift, and it looks like Kelce is poised for sustained personal and financial success as his playing career winds down.
As for the Kelsey family matriarch, Donna Kelsey, like her sons, is no stranger to support. Mothers and Grandmothers has partnered with GameChanger, an app that streams youth sports to friends and family, and will award one winner a “Gran Cave” (think Grandparents’ “man cave” for live streaming youth sports) and a premium subscription to the platform. Owned and operated by Dick’s Sporting Goods, GameChanger says “Grand Cave” is “a modern take on the classic ‘man cave.'”
