How the Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce business empire reveals a totally new way NFL stars are planning for life after football

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are still suiting up for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026. But quietly, methodically, they are also building something that has very little to do with fourth-quarter drives or Super Bowl rings. Between MLB ownership stakes, a Formula One team, a high-end steakhouse, a media empire, and a string of startup investments, these two have constructed a financial architecture that most NFL players never attempt while still active. The blueprint they are writing is not just for themselves. It is changing what post-football wealth can look like for the next generation.What businesses do Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce actually own together?The most visible joint move is 1587 Prime, their Kansas City steakhouse that opened in September 2025. The name comes from combining their jersey numbers, 15 for Mahomes and 87 for Kelce, and the restaurant sits inside the Loews Kansas City Hotel, spanning nearly 10,000 square feet across two floors. It has already earned nominations across four categories in the 2026 Kansas City Favorites awards, including Fine Dining, Steak, Wine Selection, and Specialty Cocktails. Not bad for a place that has been open less than a year.But 1587 Prime is only one piece of a much larger puzzle they built together. Both are minority investors in the Alpine Formula One team through Otro Capital, a deal that also brought in Rory McIlroy and Anthony Joshua. Mahomes said at the time that he could not pass up the chance to invest in a sport gaining fast momentum in the US. "It's an exciting time for the sport and this is an opportunity to bring our shared values to the world stage," Mahomes said. Kelce added: "Our shared passion for excellence and innovation forms the cornerstone of this partnership."How are Mahomes and Kelce planning for life after the NFL through sports ownership?This is where the strategy gets genuinely interesting. Both men now own pieces of Major League Baseball franchises, in rival teams no less. Mahomes became the youngest part-owner in professional sports in 2020 when he purchased a stake in the Kansas City Royals at age 24. Beyond baseball, his ownership portfolio includes Sporting KC in MLS and the Kansas City Current in the NWSL.Kelce followed a parallel path in May 2026, buying a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians, the city where he was born and raised. "I have so much love for this city," Kelce told ESPN. "I say it all the time: I'm just a kid from the Heights living the dream." He also made clear this is not a vanity move. "I've been lucky enough to have a front-row seat to good ownership in my career, and I know the best teams prioritize culture. Everyone is there to play their role, and right now, I'm here to observe and learn."What makes this so different from the celebrity endorsement model that defined athlete income for decades is the intentionality behind it. These are not guys slapping their names on a product for a check. They are taking board-room-level positions in growing sports properties and learning ownership from the inside, while they are still playing.What can other NFL stars learn from the Mahomes–Kelce investment approach?The honest answer is: quite a lot. Most NFL players earn the bulk of their money between ages 22 and 32, then spend the following decades trying to preserve it. Mahomes and Kelce are doing something structurally smarter. They are converting their peak-fame window into equity stakes in industries, sports franchises, media, and consumer brands, that compound in value long after their playing careers end.Mahomes has acknowledged that his investment experience directly influences how he thinks, including when it came to restructuring his own contract. "Being able to be in those meetings and negotiations helps me have an understanding for the business side of things," he said. He also credits Kelce's influence, noting that his teammate has shown him the value of staying open-minded about expanding his role beyond football.Kelce's individual portfolio backs that up. Beyond Alpine and the Guardians, he invested in Six Flags through JANA Partners in October 2025, holds a stake in Recover 180, and co-owns the New Heights podcast with his brother Jason, which signed a multi-year deal with Amazon. "We're both as competitive as it gets, so you know there will be some bragging rights on the line when we play our division games," Kelce said, referencing the AL Central rivalry between the Guardians and Royals. But behind the banter is a genuine alignment in strategy. Two active NFL players who have studied ownership closely and are now making decisions from that side of the table, before football is even done with them.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.