Aaron Rodgers backs $199.99-a-year platform built to connect brands with pro athletes

Last year, Aaron Rodgers was still focused on life inside the NFL, but his business interests were already moving in a different direction. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is now backing a startup designed to change how companies, charities and sponsors find professional athletes. AthleteAgent.com, which launched as a rebrand of Online Sports Database, is positioning itself as a central hub for athlete and agent information, with Rodgers among its original founders and a seven-figure investment in the company.Aaron Rodgers backs AthleteAgent.comThe idea behind AthleteAgent.com began with actor and producer Ryan Rottman in 2021. He saw a clear difference between the way actors and athletes could be discovered online. His experience with IMDb showed him how useful verified representation details could be when producers wanted to make contact quickly.Rottman eventually brought the concept to Rodgers, who became an early supporter. The platform now offers information on more than 4,000 athletes and 2,000 agents. Profiles can include representation, endorsements, contract information and charitable work.Rodgers is not the only major name supporting the venture. Sports agent Scott Boras and several investment firms are also involved. The company declined to disclose the quarterback's precise investment but confirmed that it was worth seven figures.For Rodgers, the project also creates a connection between his playing career and the wider sports business world.AthleteAgent.com targets athlete accessAthleteAgent.com operates through a subscription model, charging $29.99 a month or $199.99 a year for full database access. Its goal is to make outreach more direct while helping organisations avoid contacting the wrong representative.CEO Sean O'Brien said the company is on track to generate six-figure revenue and positive cash flow during the year. The business also plans to expand beyond active athletes by adding team executives, front office contacts and retired players.Rottman believes the platform can give more athletes opportunities beyond the biggest names in professional sports.“Aaron likes to say we’re building this not for the 1% of athletes, but for the other 99% — to help generate revenue, get their stories out there, find endorsement deals, support their charities. That’s how it came to fruition,” Rottman said.The company says agents can also benefit because they can respond to endorsement opportunities without paying a commission to the platform.O'Brien highlighted how the database can help brands identify the right business contact rather than simply approaching an athlete's most famous representative.The wider ambition is clear. AthleteAgent.com wants athlete information to become easier to find, verify and use, potentially giving professional sports a digital directory similar to the role IMDb plays for the entertainment industry.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.