Jason Kelce to host late-night talk show for ESPN: ‘It’s going to be a celebration’
Hereeeee’s Jason!
Jason Kelce is joining the ranks of late-night hosts as ESPN’s newest frontman of “They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce,” set to premiere in 2025.
The Super Bowl champ, 37, announced his new gig during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Thursday, saying the Philadelphia-based late-night talk show will debut in January.
“I loved late-night shows, I’ve always loved them. I remember sleepovers watching Conan O’Brien with my friends,” the retired Philadelphia Eagles center told Kimmel.
“We’re going to have a bunch of guys up there — legends of the game, friends that I played the game with, coaches, celebrities.”
The hour-long show will tape on five consecutive Friday nights kickstarting January 3. The date coincides with the last week of the NFL’s regular season and the playoffs.
“It’s going to be a celebration,” he added.
“They Call It Late Night” will air on ESPN at 1 a.m., and will be available to stream on ESPN+, as well as Kelce’s YouTube channels.
The show’s name is a sweet nod to “They Call it Pro Football,” which was NFL Films’ first full-length film back in 1967. The location also pays homage, as NFL Films notably originated in Philadelphia.
The network has picked up five episodes of the show so far, with the last episode set to air on February 1. All episodes will be filmed in front of a live audience in Union Transfer, Philadelphia.
While the show won’t air in real time, it will feature some staple aspects of a classic late-night show — including celebrity guests and interactions with a live audience.
It will also feature SNACKTIME — Philly’s own a live band that will provide music.
NFL Films will produce the show in partnership with Kelce’s Wooderboy Productions and Skydance Sports.
Kelce is in the first year of a multi-year agreement with ESPN.
Kelce joined ESPN this year following his retirement from professional football in March and has worked as an analyst on “Monday Night Countdown” this NFL season.
The Kelce family has skyrocketed to fame after his brother, Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, and pop icon Taylor Swift went public with their relationship last fall.
The brothers also host their popular “New Heights” podcast with one another, and earlier this year, the duo signed a massive three-year, $100 million deal with Amazon’s Wondery network for their show.
Kelce played his entire NFL career with the Eagles and racked up six All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowls.
He helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2018 and squared off against his brother Travis in 2023, a Super Bowl the Chiefs ultimately won.