ByJeff Fedotin,
Contributor.
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
Jeff Fedotin covers the Kansas City Chiefs and sports business.
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Summary
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is making waves beyond the football field, becoming the new face of Tommy Hilfiger. Despite his Midwest roots, Kelce’s recent activities, including a two-day Hilfiger shoot at The Plaza Hotel, have firmly linked him to New York City. His first digital commercial, released September 1st, showcases him interacting with celebrities Gigi Hadid, Peggy Gou, and Carmelo Anthony, culminating in a meeting with Tommy Hilfiger himself. Kelce, a known fashion enthusiast, was sought by the brand to attract new consumers, even if he had retired. He’s currently under a one-year contract with the Chiefs for 2026, and another Hilfiger collaboration is planned for February, promising a major marketing push.
Travis Kelce’s first commercial with Tommy Hilfiger drops on Sept. 1. Tommy Hilfiger
Travis Kelce grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and has spent his entire professional career in Kansas City, Mo.
But the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has become associated with New York City during his seismic offseason.
On July 4 weekend, Kelce wed Taylor Swift at Madison Square Garden.
“It was perfect,” Kelce said, “to kind of live out childhood dreams of being in that venue and the mecca of all sports venues.”
Another iconic New York location — The Plaza Hotel, the luxurious residence where Tommy Hilfiger himself lived for 11 years — was the setting for his two-day, Tommy Hilfiger shoot in April.
And Kelce’s first commercial with the brand, which appears in the digital and paid social landscape, dropped early morning on Sept. 1.
“The film spot is magnificent,” raved Virginia Ritchie, Tommy Hilfiger’s global chief marketing officer, during an exclusive interview.
In the one minute, 45-second spot, Kelce wears a gray hoodie and khaki coat as he fist-bumps the doorman. He then greets South Korean DJ and singer/songwriter Peggy Gou.
After Kelce lounges on a couch with his real-life dog — a Samoyed rumored to be named Wendy — he runs into model Gigi Hadid on the elevator. Hadid grooves to music while Kelce sports a white cable knit sweater and navy peacoat.
Wearing a rugby shirt, Kelce walks through a kitchen, where he sees South Korean singer/brand ambassador Jisoo.
Sports figures Rafael Nadal and Lewis Hamilton have previously represented the fashion company, but in this commercial, Kelce meets tennis player Frances Tiafoe and former NBA star Carmelo Anthony for a drink.
Finally, Kelce walks outside in a letter jacket before seeing Tommy Hilfiger. The fashion designer, who is in a cab, rolls down the window and says, “What are the chances?”
Kelce exclaims that’s why he loves New York and joins Hilfiger in the taxi.
“There’s a magic to this city, and I love that you never know who or what’s around the corner,” Kelce said in a statement. “We had a blast tapping into that unique energy with a cast who truly embody the vibes that make this city so special.”
Wearing a letter jacket, Travis Kelce is about to meet fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger in a cab.
Tommy Hilfiger
Kelce also enjoyed sporting the collection’s latest preppy outerwear and the brand’s signature red, white and blue colors.
The tight end is a longtime fan of fashion and even founded his own clothing company.
“I love to pick a different outfit every single day,” Kelce exclusively d. “I have fun in fashion.”
Expressing that Kelce authentically represented the company and could also attract new consumers, the Hilfiger brand, which had global retail sales of about $9 billion in 2025, reached out to Kelce’s management team in the fall of 2025.
There was speculation that Kelce would retirefrom football after the 2025 season, but even if he had, Hilfiger was going to partner with him on a one-year deal.
Travis Kelce struts outside The Plaza Hotel during his new Tommy Hilfiger ad.
Tommy Hilfiger
Kelce also has a one-year contract with the Chiefs for 2026 — worth $12 million — though there are two additional void years tacked on for salary cap purposes.
“We used some tools that are in the toolbox that maybe we don’t dust off very often to be able to spread his cap hits over multiple years,” Chiefs assistant general manager Chris Shea said. “(Chiefs owner) Clark Hunt was allowing us to do that in this special instance with his special legacy and role on the team.”
Whether or not Kelce’s legacy with the Chiefs continues for more seasons beyond 2026, he will have one more campaign with Hilfiger.
His next collaboration is slated for February, and the video will feature other celebrities alongside Kelce.
“We have those two major heartbeats with him,” Ritchie said. “This will be one of our biggest and best out-of-home pushes in a long time.”
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