*By: Madison Alworth* Matthew Nordgren followed in the pro football footsteps of his father, and now in retirement, he's drawn inspiration from his father's experience to launch a career in the cannabis business. "The people who played with him at that time are suffering from all sorts of illnesses and pains, you name it," Nordgren said in an interview with Cheddar. "So it started to also become a passion in my family to try to help people my dad's age to try to deal with sleep and pain and all the things they are going through. A lot of personal reasons to be in it." Nordgren's father George spent time in the NFL as a running back for the Dallas Cowboys. As Matthew explains it, the 70-year-old and his aging football friends are feeling the repercussions of playing a physically demanding sport for much of their career. And the younger Nordgren saw an opportunity there. Himself a former player for the Philadelphia Eagles, he went on to a career in private equity and now is the founder and CEO of Arcadian Fund and Arcadian Capital Management, a venture capital firm in Los Angeles specializing in ancillary cannabis businesses. Among the company's investments is the publication "High Times," which is set [to go public](https://hightimes.com/news/high-times-pots-most-established-brand-going-public/) later this year. He said these kinds of secondary businesses sit better with the company's clients. "Because we had a lot of assets that were highly regulated, highly publicized, our investor base and our current portfolio were assets that really didn't have a lot of comfort in the plant-touching side of the business. So we knew right away that 'High Times' and our background sort of led us to the ancillary side." For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/matthew-nordgren-on-his-break-into-the-cannabis-industry)

Share:
More In Sports
PGA Tour Player Suspensions in LIV Golf Event Is About 'Threat to the Future of Golf'
The PGA Tour has announced that it will suspend players that are competing in the LIV Golf event that teed off today. At least 17 players, including names like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio Garcia are banned from the PGA Tour competition. Hilary Fordwich, a business analyst and golf expert, joined Cheddar News to discuss why the PGA had to go this route. This is a threat to the future of golf for them, and there's been many contentions about them not being fair and that this is vindictive," she said. "Don't forget, of course, they represent sort of a monopoly in the history of golf. So you've got two sides to this story. You've got those the purists, those that feel that golf should only be a certain way and that there are only these limited events that the PGA puts on. And then you've got other people who are saying … this is all about money"
Pressure to Settle $1 Billion Claim From Nassar Survivors Against FBI
Survivors of Larry Nassar, including Olympian Simone Biles, are seeking $1 billion in damages from the FBI due to its failure to investigate the former gymnastics team doctor convicted of committing years of serial sexual abuse of minors. Jack Queen, a senior reporter at Law360, joined Cheddar News to break down the legal grounds of this case. "This is one of the biggest black eyes that the Bureau has faced in generations, quite frankly, and the FBI has taken full responsibility and admitted that it completely botched this investigation," he said. "So, there's a lot of pressure to settle."
Gymnasts Seek $1 Billion From FBI Over Larry Nassar Case
The victims from the USA gymnastics sexual abuse scandal continue to seek justice. Survivors of Larry Nassar are seeking more than one-billion dollars from the FBI for failing to stop the convicted sports doctor when the agency first received allegations. According to a report released by the Justice Department's Inspector General, FBI agents knew in July of 2015 that Nassar was accused of abusing gymnasts; however, Nassar wasn't arrested until December of 2016. The group that filed the claim includes Olympic medalist Simone Biles and around 90 other women. Louise Radnofsky, sports reporter at The Wall Street Journal, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Tour Begins With Dustin Johnson & Phil Mickelson, Without Tiger Woods
A controversial professional golf tour backed by Saudi Arabia tees off on Thursday. Today, two-time Major winner Dustin Johnson announced he's resigned from the PGA Tour ahead of headlining the Saudi-backed tour, called the LIV Golf Invitation Series. The announcement comes as the PGA tour has threatened disciplinary action for its golfers who take part in the Saudi golf league event, which will also feature notable golf stars like Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia; however, LIV Golf's CEO, Greg Norman, told The Washington Post that Tiger Woods rejected a contract worth 'high nine digits' to play in the tour. Chris Bumbaca, reporter for USA Today Sports, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Re-Wiring After a Career in the NFL
Marques Ogden, former NFL offensive lineman turned author and celebrity success coach, joins Cheddar to discuss his career transition after his NFL playing days and how he overcame a low point to prioritize family and re-shape his life as a success coach.
Load More