In the grand scheme of sports media I like Jason and Travis Kelce.
Their New Heights podcast is a good listen with interesting guests. Jason is entertaining as an analyst for Monday Night Football. And, DEFINITELYI’m a huge fan of Travis’ fiancee (any Swifties in the comments? No? Never mind).
That being said, I think we’ve gone 500 percent too far with the Kelce Bros. Infiltrated Golf.
It was one thing when Travis played in pro-am events this year at TPC Scottsdale and Pebble Beach. Hey, he almost made an ace on the 16th at Scottsdale. This is harmless fun!
It was nice – maybe even nice – when Jason happened to serve as guest commentator for three TGL matches a few weeks ago. He’s a fun guy, and the fact that he has virtually no golf expertise needn’t stop a frivolous enterprise like TGL from including him. I’m all for dancing my shoes off at as many TGL freak shows as we can.
But now it seems like we’ve reached the point of Kelce Bros. exhaustion within golf.
Jason Kelce is serving as the announcer at the Masters
It was recently revealed that Jason will be a commentator for the Par 3 Contest at next week’s Masters. He will handle player interviews as a reporter on the course.
My goodness, it is nothing sacred in ANGC these days? I guess once they let Dude Perfect kick the footballs at Amen Corner, all bets were off…
Masters mostly get it right. They rarely lose. But this is one of those rare cases.
There seems to be a consensus that no one asked for this. No golf fan was thinking, “Hey, can we make the Par 3 Contest a little sexier by getting a retired putter with no golf knowledge to act like it’s open mic night by the ninth green?”
I mean, what exactly is the point of this? There are hundreds, no, thousands of commenters more qualified for this role. Hell, Ken Griffey Jr. is a photographer for Masters now. I bet he can handle interviews too!
Am I too fired up about something that’s a drop in the bucket? yes. But, come on. Do we really need Kelce stuffed down our throats at Augusta of all places?
There are plenty of media where a Kelce fits. The most revered base in the game of golf isn’t exactly one of them.
From a sports media perspective, it seems like ESPN is trying to throw one of their best talents into as many of their products as possible. Jason has skydived into ESPN hockey coverage. He also did work around the Olympics.
Personally, I’d much rather hear his football commentary on his own actually playing the sport but I understand the concept of what ESPN is doing.
And, look, I know the Par 3 Contest isn’t the right Masters. It’s a family outing, a little tradition where the aces (and the little kids) run wild. I’m sure Jason will do well and we’ll all forget this.
I guess I’d just prefer a legitimate golf commentator to have that kind of role.
You know me, I must be upset about something.
But wait, there’s more
Just when even though the activations were over…
Kelce Bros. has a Garage Beer brand that is working with Malbo. Their deal will begin next week around the Masters. We’ll see what that dream team produces.
If you think the Kelce Bros. are going down the same path as Pat McAfee—getting overexposed in sports coverage—that probably won’t help much.
All those screaming about how golf needs to shrink, there’s plenty of ammunition here. I doubt this is the last time we see Kelce enter the world of golf.
And, to be honest, I can’t blame them for that.
Top Photo Caption: Jason Kelce talks to Tom Kim during a TGL match. (GETTY IMAGES/Rich Story)
