When you think of the Gronkowski bros, it’s all about flexing on-field, not wheeling and dealing in the boardroom. But these days, they’re flipping that script—especially Chris Gronkowski, who’s been absolutely crushing it with his game-changing Ice Shaker brand. It all started with a simple, sweaty workout. Gronkowski was bench pressing at Lifetime Fitness, battling the sweltering heat, when his warm, smelly protein shake pushed him to the brink. “It tasted awful, smelled terrible,” he recalled. And just like that, a multimillion-dollar idea was born.

In an all-exclusive Essentially Sports interview on the Dual Threat Show with Brandon Guttmann II, the ex-Colts legend spilled the beans on launching Ice Shaker and how his brother, Rob Gronkowski, jumped in to make it even bigger. “The whole business, the whole start of it was my idea. Getting on Shark Tank from an email that came in while still playing the NFL from my agent. And then, you know, getting the brothers to come on the show definitely helped take it to another level,” the former legend asserted. Gronkowski’s hustle brought Ice Shaker to Shark Tank, where he and his brothers dazzled the celebrity investors. 

The pitch was a slam dunk, and it wasn’t long before Rob Gronkowski hopped on board. He even bought out Alex Rodriguez’s stake in the company. “Years later, Rob did end up investing in the company, buying out Alex Rodriguez. And you know he’s really helped significantly since then, just with different activities—coming in, doing socials, making his own custom bottle—just an unlimited amount of things that he’s done that’s just taken it to another level,” he shared during our Essentially Sports exclusive interview segment. 

Rob’s involvement didn’t just bring cash to the table; it brought flair. The former tight end’s been a powerhouse behind Ice Shaker’s marketing, from popping up in social media posts to creating his own custom bottles. Every move added a bit more of that Gronkowski magic to the brand, taking it from a cool product to a full-blown phenomenon. 

Chris Gronkowski’s motivation, though? It wasn’t just about the money. It was about solving a problem that athletes and gym-goers (like himself) faced every day. “I wanted cold water to quench my thirst,” he explained. And he made sure that Ice Shaker wasn’t just another bottle on the shelf—it was THE bottle. Thanks to his commitment to quality and Rob’s marketing muscle, Ice Shaker pulled in over $3M in sales.

Since their Shark Tank debut, Ice Shaker’s been proof of what happens when you mix a killer idea with some brotherly love and NFL hustle.

Chris Gronkowski’s Shark Tank debut and Ice Shaker surge

Chris Gronkowski walked out of ABC’s Shark Tank in 2017 with a big grin—and for a good reason. He knew his Ice Shaker would be a hit with everyone, from travelers to office warriors. But he needed that one big break to get the word out. That’s when he took his shot on Shark Tank. Rolling in with his brothers, including 4-time Super Bowl champ Rob Gronkowski, they delivered a pitch that left everyone in the room buzzing.

It’s not every day you see all five sharks ready to pounce, but that’s exactly what happened. Chris came in looking for $100k for a 10% stake, but he walked away with a sweet deal from Mark Cuban and guest shark Alex Rodriguez—$150k for 15% equity. Back then, the company was worth $M, but it tripled its value in just a year. Seven years later, Ice Shaker is still killing it, with Chris rolling out bottles in every color and size you can think of.

Here at EssentiallySports Exclusive, we’re all about bringing you the inside scoop on your favorite athletes. Now you’ve had a glimpse into how Chris Gronkowski, the multi-millionaire athlete, built his brand with a little help from his brother Rob. Want more? Head over to our YouTube channel to catch more episodes of the EssentiallySports x BG12 Show. Stay tuned for more!