#209 Ryan Rottman | Building AthleteAgent with Aaron Rodgers

Most athletes are more than players. They are brands, investors, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. But until now, getting reliable data on endorsements, reps, front office contacts and off-field ventures has meant sifting through rumours and broken links. AthleteAgent.com, formerly OSDB, has rebranded and launched a subscription product that aims to solve that problem. Think IMDb for sports people, with verified contact data and a focus on accessibility for brands, agencies and fans.In this episode:Why AthleteAgent pivoted from a broad sports portal to a focused contact and outreach platformHow the team validated a market need: thousands of monthly users asking for reps and contact info, not stats or editorialWhat makes AthleteAgent different from an AI scrape or a Google search: verified emails and phones, multilayer validation, and industry relationships that unlock previously guarded contactsPricing and model decisions, and why a subscription made sense for teams both large and smallReal user impact, from LinkedIn execs who got replies in hours to minor league teams reconnecting with playersRoadmap priorities: current pro athletes first, later expansion into retired players, NIL and underserved sports like UFC, cricket and lacrosseSafety and trust measures, and how AthleteAgent responds when agents request changes to contact listingsWhy it mattersAthleteAgent.com is built for people who need verified access, fast. For brands and PR teams that used to waste days chasing the right rep, it can be a time saver that pays for itself in a few outreach wins. For athletes, it creates new revenue pathways by making them discoverable for local deals and media opportunities without sacrificing control.Quote to remember"We're not selling gossip. We're selling access with verification. If an email bounces, why would anyone pay for it?"