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A Wisconsin bar cashed in BIG on Monday night thanks to an Aaron Rodgers promo that went horribly wrong for Packers fans. Final sales numbers have been released after the NFL opener, and it’s safe to say the deal worked out perfectly for the drinking establishment.
Jack’s American Pub, a Milwaukee based watering hole, created a football season promotion for Green Bay fans upset about Aaron Rodgers’ move to New York. Despite spending nearly two decades with the franchise, many of the team’s supporters were furious with how the Hall of Fame passer left.
Rodgers spurned the Cheeseheads for a trip to the Big Apple, signing a deal with the Jets this offseason. It was reported that the quarterback wanted Green Bay GM Brian Gutekuntz fired before agreeing to return for a 19th season. When it didn’t happen, he asked for a trade.
Following the move, Jack’s Pub found a way to help Packers fans both drown their sorrows and root against their former signal caller. The rules were simple: Any time Rodges and the Jets lose, tabs are paid by the bar.
Those beer guzzling Green Bay patrons looked to be in for a Week 1 win on Monday night. Rodgers was injured on the first drive of his Jets debut, suffering a torn Achilles on just the fourth play.
The quarterback was carted off the field to the cheers of viewers in this Wisconsin bar, and he was unable to return. That meant three-plus quarters of Zach Wilson, which seemed to depress even the Jets head coach.
Josh Allen and the Bills, though, found a way to hit those fans in both their hearts and their wallets.
The Buffalo passer turned the ball over four times (three in the second half), allowing New York to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit. Xavier Gipson would end things in overtime with an incredible walk-off punt return.
The Jets win meant it was time to pay up for those Packers patrons. Now, we know just how much the game cost them.
Like any good journalist, I went back to Jack’s tonight to follow up:
-About 350 people opened tabs
-Biggest bill was $160, all on beer
-Manager Olivia Fallon tells me the owners are actually on a retreat in the Dominican, and they haven’t yet decided if the promo will continue https://t.co/A5Yqmog0DC pic.twitter.com/lM4z213Gci— A.J. Bayatpour (@AJBayatpour) September 13, 2023
CBS 58 reporter AJ Bayatpour followed up with the bar on Tuesday. He says that 350 tabs were opened with the largest bill being $160. He also filled followers in on the rules of the promo.
“For those wondering why the big tabs weren’t bigger: The rules were anyone drinking had to have their own individual tab with a card at the bar. No group orders, maximum two drinks per bar trip. No pitchers or top shelf liquor. Just beer, rail and shots.”
Even if the average tab came in around $50-$60, that’s a cool $20,000 for a three-hour football game. Not too shabby.
Bayatpour notes that it’s not yet known if the promo will continue now that Rodgers is sidelined for the season.