NY Jets QB1 Aaron Rodgers has taken up almost all the headline real estate this offseason. However, the charismatic passer, who is normally in the news for his gridiron prowess, finds himself under scrutiny for a surprising move in the entrepreneurship sector. The former Green Bay Packers signal-caller has sparked controversy this week after he turned to the masses, hat in hand, in search of financial support.

Aaron Rodgers received significant flak this week for requesting an infusion of $1.235 million from his fans for his start-up venture. Crowdfunding is not a strange concept for start-ups. However, given Rodgers’ immense wealth, PFF Insider Mike Florio didn’t expect the QB1 to resort to public donations.

Aaron Rodgers wants your money for his latest start-up venture

Months after embarking on the Broadway-bound road to fulfil the Jets’ much-waited Lombardi aspirations, Aaron Rodgers looks ready for a ‘Shark Tank’ feature. The 39-year-old quarterback recently urged fans to join in on the ‘Online Sports Database’ hype. An online startup, that the Super Bowl XLV champion co-founded with actor, Ryan Rottman, OSDB aims to become “the IMDb (Internet Movie Database) of the sports market,” as per Rottman. After already raising $4 million in funding, Rodgers announced a crowdfunding campaign to raise an additional $1.235 million this week.

This did not sit well with Florio, given Rodgers’ $200 million net worth. Also, the quarterback is scheduled to make another $109 million over the next two years as part of his Jets contract. “I’m just astounded by it,” Florio said.

“Why are you trying to raise $1.235 million by begging strangers for money? Money for nothing. Donations. Crowdfunding. Fancy words for ‘Give Me Money’ please. I have no problem with people seeking online support for their causes. But usually, it’s people who don’t have a lot of money in their bank. And are not entitled to $109 million over the next two years,” the PFF writer added.

This isn’t Rodgers’ first start-up venture. The QB is also a co-founder of RX3 Growth Partners. The company has invested in some profitable businesses like ‘Therabody’, ‘Full Swing’, and ‘Manscaped’. However, instead of crowdfunding, A-Rod found investment elsewhere. Some of the notable investors in RX3 included Buffalo Bills QB1 Josh Allen and Olympian swimming icon Michael Phelps.

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However, this time, it looks as though the crowdsourcing idea came to Rodgers from his former team, the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers run on a crowdfunded business model

Aaron Rodgers may have left Green Bay. However, he has taken with him some valuable business lessons. The crowdfunding lesson is definitely one of them. The Wisconsin-based NFL franchise is the only sporting organization in the nation that is publicly owned, with over 530,000 shareholders.

Given the success that ‘Titletown’ has enjoyed over the past decades, it’s no surprise that Rodgers wants to incorporate some of the same logic in his own business venture.

Will Aaron Rodgers call off the crowdfunded campaign for OSDB or will the online chatter make no difference for the newest entrepreneur in Metropolis?

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