Raising Cane's Founder Unveils Origin of Viral Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski Dunk Tank Spectacle

Fanatics Fest in Manhattan recently provided a stage for numerous sports and entertainment figures, and an early highlight emerged from the Raising Cane’s activation at the Javits Center on its opening day.

This memorable setup involved a combination of quarterback icon Tom Brady, former tight end Rob Gronkowski, and a custom dunk tank filled with 500 gallons of Raising Cane’s signature sauce. Brady, renowned for his precision on the field, demonstrated his accuracy once again.

Gronkowski made a dramatic splash into the sauce, while Brady and Raising Cane’s owner, Todd Graves, joined the enthusiastic crowd in celebrating a standout moment that launched Fanatics Fest.

“I never envisioned a Cane’s Sauce dunk tank, but partnering with Fanatics and Fanatics Fest has been excellent,” Graves explained. “They are incredible collaborators. Michael Rubin and I have been friends, discussing business and supporting each other in various ways. A rising tide lifts all boats. Before we formally partnered with Fanatics, I admired his work, the excitement he generated, and how he brought together prominent sports and entertainment personalities—everyone from Tom Brady to Kevin Hart. I thought, ‘Man, let’s partner. Let’s make this deal happen.’”

Graves emphasized the collaborative nature of the event’s planning. “With Fanatics Fest, our partnership wasn’t just a simple invitation to ‘come and do whatever you think of.’ Instead, it was an opportunity to combine our creativity. So, they proposed the idea. Specifically, Michael Ratner, CEO of OBB Media, suggested, ‘Let’s do a Cane’s Sauce dunk tank.’ I was thrilled! And then he added, ‘Let’s have Brady dunking Gronk.’ I honestly couldn’t imagine two better individuals for it.”

Graves anticipated that the event would be