Travis Kelce Ventures Into Hollywood Using Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Travis Kelce in the documentary "Kelce." Prime Video

Travis Kelce, football star and boyfriend of pop singer Taylor Swift, is venturing into the film industry, debuting as an executive producer for the movie “My Dead Friend Zoe.” Mr. Kelce and his partners are leveraging President Joe Biden’s renewable energy tax credits to support the production of this indie film.

The low-budget dark comedy benefits from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act for film financing. With production costs staying under $10 million, Mr. Kelce’s involvement marks a significant shift from his career as a Kansas City Chiefs tight end to a Hollywood producer. The film does not have a distributor attached for wide release.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, aims to address economic challenges while also promoting renewable energy initiatives. The legislation represents an effort to stimulate investment in clean energy projects, such as wind and solar farms, through tax incentives. By incentivizing the development of renewable energy sources, the act seeks to foster innovation and support job creation in the clean energy sector. These measures are intended to contribute to economic growth while also addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional energy sources.

In financing “My Dead Friend Zoe,” surplus tax credits from green energy entrepreneur Mike Field played a crucial role. Mr. Field, also a producer of the film, utilized these funds to contribute to the production budget.

Mr. Kelce’s co-producer, Ray Maiello, underscored the role of federal tax credits in mitigating financial risks, saying the energy credits reduce drop risk from a scale of 9.5 to a more manageable five.

Renewable Energy Waste

Meanwhile, the renewable energy industry is grappling with the challenge of waste management. A recent article from Deseret News highlights the accumulation of hazardous waste stemming from green energy. Despite the push for decarbonization through technologies like wind and solar, the industry faces significant challenges in recycling and safely disposing of materials used in renewable energy systems.

Solar energy, for instance, is expected to generate millions of tons of waste by 2050, posing a significant disposal challenge. Wind energy, while less prolific in energy production compared to other renewables, presents unique difficulties in recycling due to the large size of wind turbines.

Comparatively, the nuclear waste problem, while substantial, has been managed effectively by the nuclear community. Despite the scale of nuclear waste generated, the industry has demonstrated its ability to safely store, transport, and dispose of waste. Efforts by organizations like the American Nuclear Society underscore the importance of a robust and safe nuclear waste program, advocating for government support and investment in waste management solutions.

Mr. Kelce, Mr. Maiello, and Mr. Field are employing a familiar approach to finance their next film, the Jean-Michel Basquiat documentary “King Pleasure.” Produced by Boardwalk Pictures and directed by Quinn Wilson, formerly of singer Lizzo’s creative team, the documentary is crafted in collaboration with the late artist’s estate. Their utilization of the Inflation Reduction Act could potentially set a precedent in Hollywood, offering a pathway to raise capital and rejuvenate the struggling indie film industry. Such financing arrangements, increasingly prevalent beyond the confines of Hollywood, represent a burgeoning market valued between $7 billion and $9 billion, according to a study.

Despite confirming his return to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2024–25 NFL season with aspirations for a potential Super Bowl three-peat, Mr. Kelce is actively venturing into Hollywood, akin to athletes like Tom Brady. Mr. Brady, who recently appeared as himself in the comedy “80 for Brady,” has also ventured into film production. Mr. Kelce is represented by Creative Artists Agency.

In addition, Mr. Klelce has received substantial incentives for promoting the Pfizer COVID-19 and flu vaccines. The Kansas City star reportedly earned $20 million from Pfizer in 2023.

Back in 2017, Mr. Kelce followed Colin Kaepernick’s example by kneeling during the pre-game national anthem ceremony, showing solidarity with teammates protesting against police brutality.

Shortly after American conservatives initiated a boycott against Bud Light for featuring transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney in an advertisement, Mr. Kelce agreed to star in a commercial for the beer brand, seeking to win back buyers.