Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother, recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, are no strangers to entertaining fans with their popular “New Heights” podcast.

But their latest guest announcement—NHL icon Wayne Gretzky—has triggered a wave of criticism from longtime listeners, many of whom are questioning the podcast’s direction.

Fans push back as podcast shifts away from NFL-centered content

The Kelce brothers have built a strong following by delivering candid football commentary, player stories, and behind-the-scenes insights from the NFL. However, their decision to feature a sports legend from outside of football has stirred up controversy.

The backlash began almost immediately after the guest announcement, with fans taking to social media to vent their frustrations.

“This is a football podcast, not a hockey show,” one disappointed fan wrote. Another added, “I tune in for football insights, not interviews with hockey players.” Another wrote, “So Trump went after Taylor and your answer is to invite a big trumpie guy who is friend with him ?!? Have some shame.”

While Gretzky’s legacy as “The Great One” is undeniable in the hockey world, many listeners believe that his appearance strays too far from what originally made “New Heights” compelling—its deep NFL focus and the chemistry between the Kelce brothers.

The Kelce brothers respond to criticism and defend the decision

Despite the criticism, both Travis and Jason Kelce have stood by their decision, defending the value of cross-sport dialogue and the broader vision for their podcast.

“Wayne Gretzky is a legend, and there’s always something to learn from the greats, no matter the sport,” Travis Kelce said, underscoring Gretzky’s relevance as a universally respected athlete. Jason added, “It’s about broadening perspectives and bringing fresh content to our listeners.”Their comments reflect a clear intention to evolve the show beyond its NFL roots and embrace voices from other areas of sports and life.As Travis continues preparations for OTAs with the Chiefs and Jason transitions into his post-playing career, the podcast represents an important outlet for both. But the Gretzky episode has highlighted a key challenge: maintaining authenticity and connection with a loyal football audience while trying to grow creatively.Also Read: The Kansas City Chiefs’ jersey number no one dares to wear — and the heartbreaking reason whyThe Kelces may be betting on the long-term benefits of diversity in content, but this moment shows how quickly fan sentiment can shift when expectations are disrupted. Whether the gamble pays off may depend on how well they balance sports legends like Gretzky with the football stories that built their podcast in the first place.