Jason Kelce grabs solo Sports Emmy nomination in first ESPN season as NFL racks up 22 nominations

Jason Kelce and Emmy nominations are making headlines once again—and for all the right reasons. Less than a year after bidding farewell to a legendary NFL career, the former Philadelphia Eagles center is now celebrating his third Sports Emmy nomination, this time in the category of Outstanding Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent for his standout role on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown.

Jason Kelce's rise as ESPN star continues with first solo Sports Emmy nomination

Jason Kelce’s post-retirement chapter has taken off at an impressive pace. Known for his passion on the field, he's channeled that same energy into sports broadcasting. He didn’t just land a role—he commanded attention. Hosting They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce, the 37-year-old seamlessly transitioned from snapping footballs to dropping punchlines and insight in front of the camera.

His rise in media isn’t a sudden switch—it was built brick by brick. Fans had already gotten a taste of his charisma through New Heights, the chart-topping podcast he co-hosts with younger brother and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce. Launched in 2022, the podcast's meteoric growth culminated in a landmark $100 million distribution deal, amplifying both brothers’ reach far beyond football.


Following news of Kelce's Emmy nomination, the New Heights podcast’s official X account couldn’t hold back its excitement:

“Gotta add Emmy nominee to your resume now��. Congrats @JasonKelce ��”, the post read—marking another milestone in what’s become a standout media journey.

This year’s list of nominees in Kelce’s category reads like a who’s who of football’s next media elite—Prime Video’s Ryan Fitzpatrick and Richard Sherman, ESPN’s Nick Saban, and CBS/TNT’s Jay Wright all join him in the competition. Last year, Noah Eagle took home the Emmy for the same category, further illustrating the level of talent Kelce now shares the spotlight with.

The 46th Annual Sports Emmy Awards will be held on May 20, and the anticipation is already building.

This isn’t Kelce’s first brush with Emmy recognition either. At the 45th Sports Emmys, his deeply personal and widely praised Prime Video documentary Kelce earned nominations for both Outstanding Long Documentary and Outstanding Editing. The film gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at his emotional journey juggling football and family, making it clear that Kelce’s storytelling power is as strong as his game-day grit.

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With the NFL scoring 22 nominations this year across its media platforms, Jason Kelce stands out as an emblem of athletes successfully bridging the gap between professional sports and compelling broadcasting. And as his Emmy nod proves, this is only the beginning of a promising second act.


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