The New York Times: The people who brought you Travis Kelce

The New York Times featured University of Cincinnati alumnus Andre Eanes, who, alongside  his twin brother Aaron, manages Travis Kelce, fellow alumnus and All-Pro tight end for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The story profiles the brothers who helped make Kelce a household name, even outside of football.

While living on UC’s Uptown campus and taking classes at UC Clermont, Andre met his client through Kelce’s college roommate, D.J. Woods, a childhood friend of Andre who grew up near Cleveland. They became close when Andre started an event management business while still in college that booked venues and hosted DJs around Cincinnati. Andre became Kelce’s go-to guy for a VIP pass.

“He was always the life of the party,” Andre said of Kelce. “Everyone wanted to go hang out with Travis.”

Aaron, who majored in sports management and entrepreneurship at Bowling Green State University, wanted to help athletes grow their careers, too — but not just through traditional playing contracts. Together, the brothers launched A&A Management, and Kelce, who was playing for the Bearcats at the time, became their second client.

Over the years, the Eanes brothers charted a specific course for Kelce, with the goal of making him as “famous as the Rock.” Today, they manage 28 investments for Kelce and have helped him land commercials, a successful podcast with his brother, Jason, a reality TV show and a hosting gig on “SNL” last winter. His relationship with pop star Taylor Swift was not part of their plan — but has raised his profile with an even larger audience.

Now with a third Super Bowl win, Kelce’s fame shows no signs of slowing down. The Eanes brothers will be beside him every step of the way — just as they planned from day one.

“People say to me, ‘Man, it’s been a crazy year,’” Aaron Eanes said. “When I say, ‘Actually, it’s not that crazy,’ people look at me funny. It’s because it’s easy when you have a plan. We’re executing that plan.”

Andre transitioned from UC Clermont’s Pre-Business Administration program in 2009 to UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services to earn his bachelor’s degree in sport administration in 2012. Kelce attended UC from 2008-12 and earned his Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2022.

Read the full story in The New York Times.

Featured image at top: From left: Andre Eanes, Travis Kelce and Aaron Eanes. Photo/Digital Journal