Travis Kelce considered an $8 million investment in a $140 million golf project as Chiefs star expands his empire

In 2024, Travis Kelce was already looking beyond the football field. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end was reportedly exploring a major golf investment that could become one of his biggest business moves yet. With an estimated $140 million project in the works, Kelce appeared ready to turn his growing interest in golf into a serious part of his long-term financial strategy.Travis Kelce plans $8 million investment in golf course projectAccording to an August 15, 2024 report from The U.S. Sun, Kelce was in talks to invest around $8 million in a group planning to develop and upgrade luxury golf courses across the United States, the Caribbean and Europe.The wider project was estimated at $140 million over five years. The plan reportedly included purchasing land for new courses while also modernizing existing properties and developing surrounding areas.The move made sense for Kelce, who had increasingly embraced golf away from the NFL. In July 2024, he played in the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe alongside his brother Jason Kelce. He had also appeared in The Match in 2023 with Patrick Mahomes, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.A source close to Kelce's entourage described his growing business ambitions, saying:“Travis is turning into a serious and successful entrepreneur,” says one person close to Kelce’s entourage.“And he always has new ideas and is being approached by a lot of people and businessmen to join and invest in different fields, to extend his already very profitable portfolio.“He got approached not that long ago by a couple of people that own golf courses in many countries around the world, and he is really interested in joining them.”For Kelce, golf was reportedly about more than owning an asset. The sport also offered access to a powerful business network.“He knows that golf is a sport that is always going to be one of the most played in the world and you can make a lot of business by playing golf and hanging out on the course with many successful entrepreneurs that love the sport and to network,” the source added.“This is the kind of project that Travis gets enthusiastic about, and he is really looking forward to get this project going.”Travis Kelce expands business portfolio beyond the NFLThe reported golf investment was only one piece of Kelce's growing business ambitions in 2024. At the time, the NFL star was also exploring opportunities in the hotel and resort industry.Sources claimed he had held discussions with groups connected to resorts in destinations including the Bahamas, Thailand, Greece and Barbados. The potential arrangements could have combined ambassador roles, advertising work and company shares.Kelce was also involved with Patrick Mahomes and a business consortium investing $30 million into a steakhouse venture. Another reported plan involved Kelce investing $2 million of his own money toward a pizza restaurant, with an additional $3 million expected from the investment group.His growing portfolio reflected a clear strategy. Rather than waiting until his NFL career ended, Kelce was using his fame, interests and business relationships to build opportunities for the future.His acting work and the expansion of his New Heights podcast added further layers to that plan. In 2024, Kelce was not simply preparing for life after football. He was already laying the groundwork for it.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.