A Wisconsin bar scored big on Monday night thanks to a promotional stunt involving Aaron Rodgers that turned into a windfall for the establishment. Final sales figures have been revealed after the NFL opener, and it’s safe to say that the promotion was a resounding success for the bar.
Jack’s American Pub, a Milwaukee-based watering hole, devised a football season promotion aimed at Green Bay fans disgruntled by Aaron Rodgers’ move to New York. Despite spending nearly two decades with the Packers, many of the team’s supporters were irate about how the Hall of Fame quarterback departed.
Rodgers chose to leave the Cheeseheads for a stint in the Big Apple, signing with the Jets during the offseason. Reports indicated that the quarterback wanted Green Bay GM Brian Gutekunst fired before agreeing to return for his 19th season with the franchise. When that didn’t happen, he requested a trade.
Following Rodgers’ departure, Jack’s Pub came up with a way to allow Packers fans to drown their sorrows while simultaneously rooting against their former signal-caller. The rules were simple: Whenever Rodgers and the Jets lost, the bar would cover the tabs.
The beer-drinking Green Bay patrons seemed poised for a Week 1 victory on Monday night. However, Rodgers suffered an injury during the first drive of his Jets debut, sustaining a torn Achilles on just the fourth play.
As Rodgers was carted off the field, Wisconsin bar patrons cheered.
Rodgers couldn’t return, and this meant three-plus quarters of Zach Wilson, which even seemed to disappoint the Jets head coach.
Despite Josh Allen and the Bills committing four turnovers (three in the second half), allowing New York to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit, Xavier Gipson sealed the game with an incredible walk-off punt return in overtime.
The Jets’ win meant that it was time for the Packers patrons to pay up. Now, we have the details on just how much the game cost them.
CBS 58 reporter AJ Bayatpour reached out to the bar on Tuesday, and he reported that 350 tabs were opened, with the largest bill being $160. He also clarified the rules of the promotion.
“For those wondering why the large tabs weren’t even larger: The rules stipulated that anyone drinking had to have their own individual tab with a card at the bar. No group orders were allowed, and there was a maximum limit of two drinks per visit to the bar. Pitchers and top-shelf liquor were not included; only beer, rail drinks, and shots were covered.”
Even if the average tab came to around $50-$60, the bar raked in a cool $20,000 during a three-hour football game. Not too shabby.
Bayatpour mentioned that it’s still uncertain if the promotion will continue now that Rodgers is sidelined for the season.
