In late August 2025, Polish businessman Piotr Szczerek became an unwilling internet sensation, but not for reasons any CEO would want. A viral video from the US Open showed him snatching a signed tennis cap meant for a young fan named Brock and swiftly placing it into his wife’s bag. The clip spread like wildfire, triggering a global conversation on entitlement, ethics, and the real price of arrogance. Almost overnight, Szczerek, previously a little-known paving magnate, found his reputation, company, and estimated net worth under the microscope.
As the founder and CEO of Drogbruk, a successful Polish paving and landscaping company, Szczerek had built a life many would envy. But in just one moment, captured live on broadcast TV, he went from industry leader to international villain. The incident didn’t just spark outrage; it raised deeper questions about how wealth, influence, and character intersect, and whether a single misstep can undo decades of work.
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From Pavement to Prominence: The Drogbruk Empire and Szczerek’s Wealth
Piotr Szczerek’s net worth has long been tied to the success of Drogbruk, the company he co-founded with his wife, Anna, back in 1999. Based in the small town of Błaszki, Poland, Drogbruk started as a modest venture specializing in paving stones, decorative slabs, and fencing. Through years of steady expansion, it grew into a national industry leader, handling everything from private driveways and public sidewalks to large-scale landscaping projects. Szczerek is frequently described in media reports as a millionaire (worth around $5 million), with his wealth rooted in Drogbruk’s consistent market presence and involvement in sports sponsorships, including local tennis tournaments and even the Davis Cup.
But Szczerek wasn’t just a suit in a corporate office. Those who knew him before the scandal described a passionate sports enthusiast, an accomplished marathon runner, and a competitive tennis player who had reached the second division of the Kalisz Tennis Association. He and his wife even had a private tennis court at their home in Kalisz, where they’d hosted Polish tennis star Urszula Radwańska. His business success and personal passion for sports seemed to reflect a life of discipline and dedication, which is why the US Open incident felt so jarring to those watching from afar.
A Viral Moment That Changed Everything
Everything shifted on August 29, 2025, when Piotr Szczerek attended the US Open match where Polish tennis pro Kamil Majchrzak scored a stunning victory over Karen Khachanov. As Majchrzak began signing autographs, he offered his signed cap to a young fan named Brock. In a moment of sheer opportunism, Szczerek leaned in, grabbed the cap, and tucked it away. The boy’s disappointed reaction was caught on camera, and the video quickly went viral.
The backlash was swift and severe. Social media users condemned Szczerek as “greedy,” “entitled,” and “a thief.” His company, Drogbruk, was review-bombed on Polish job platforms, with its rating plummeting to 1.4 stars. Critics called for boycotts, and Szczerek deactivated his social accounts to escape the torrent of anger. What made matters worse was his initial response, a statement on a Polish forum where he defended his actions with the tone-deaf remark, “life is first-come, first-served.” He even threatened legal action against those he accused of defamation.
Caught on camera: Man steals kid’s signed baseball cap in a viral moment that exposes the worst of fandom. pic.twitter.com/5KVK3RqTw1
— Peanut Gallery Media Network (@PGMNOfficial) August 30, 2025
Meanwhile, Kamil Majchrzak took a more graceful approach. Using Instagram, he located young Brock and personally gifted him a new signed cap along with other memorabilia. Majchrzak publicly urged people to “put it behind,” but the internet wasn’t ready to forget. As the story developed into early September, Piotr Szczerek’s reputation, and by extension, the public perception of Drogbruk, seemed irreparably damaged.
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While it’s still too early to measure the long-term financial impact, the scandal serves as a stark reminder that a company’s value isn’t just measured in revenue; it’s also built on trust. And once that’s broken, even a millionaire might struggle to pick up the pieces.
