One of the NFL’s biggest names is getting into the NIL game. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is joining forces with Publicis Sports to launch a new activation, they said in a joint announcement Tuesday.
Kelce and his agency, 3 Arts Sports, are partnering with Publicis to launch Tekta, which will act as an NIL consulting and activation offering. Tekta will work with brands to “identify, activate and measure partnerships” with college athletes and schools across the landscape, according to a press release.
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Through the partnership, Kelce will serve as an advisor while 3 Arts Sports will work as a strategic operating partner, leaning on its relationships with schools. Publicis will also bring its connections with schools to the venture.
“The fluid NIL and college sports landscape has everyone scrambling to keep up,” Kelce said in a statement. “I am excited to leverage my lived experience and professional perspective to help close the gap for brands and athletes alike.
“Streamlining the process will allow everyone to fully realize the potential of engaging across the board, including the significant opportunity that lies in those untapped sports and undiscovered personalities.”
A “limited number” of clients with Publicis Sports will be able to get access to Tekta, the release said. The goal is to bring quicker speeds to the marketplace while helping schools navigate the ever-changing NIL space.
Schools and athletes will also be able to receive training and education opportunities, along with guidance related to branding and partnerships. Additionally, athletes can have access to financial literacy training, national brand opportunities and long-term career and brand development, which 3 Arts Sports will provide.
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“Many of our clients are looking for ways to connect with customers at a local level, while also delivering scale and laddering up to a regional or national program,” said Publicis Sports CEO Suzy Deering in a statement. “This has been challenging – if not impossible – to do from a brand standpoint, given all the pain points. Through the unique combination of Publicis Sports, Travis and 3 Arts Sports, we’re able to bring our strengths together to do this seamlessly for our clients.”
Travis Kelce is gearing up for his 14th NFL season, all of which have been with the Chiefs. He is also coming off a busy summer after marrying his fiancee, Taylor Swift, in a Fourth of July weekend wedding at Madison Square Garden.
The Chiefs are currently in the midst of training camp with the 2026 season opener approaching. Kansas City will kick things off in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, Sept. 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET.