XDA-Developers are looking for someone to root the seemingly un-rootable Galaxy S5 on AT&T and Verizon, with offers of a hefty payday for 'the one' that can successfully do it. The bounty was posted to sweeten the pot on the AT&T, Verizon and Developer edition of the Samsung S5, which to date has not been rooted.

According to Digital Trends, with a root, an Android-powered smartphone owner can access all sorts of powerful apps and software that can, among many other functions, control battery usage, allow automated backup and remotely monitor the device if stolen. However, rooting requires a device with an unlocked bootloader or some sort of exploit that allows a developer to access software at the core of the Android Operating System. AT&T and Verizon have so-far locked the bootloader within the new Galaxy S5, meaning root functionality is not possible without an exploit.

XDA-Developers posted the call to arms on their community forum; To help fund the search for such an exploit, the XDA-Developers community has started a bounty, where users can pitch in money that will be rewarded if a way to root the Verizon and AT&T Galaxy S5 is found. So far that bounty is up to an impressive $17,600 across both devices, with nearly $10,000 for the Verizon Galaxy S5 alone. If someone can find a way to root both devices with a single exploit, they’re entitled to the whole fortune. The bounty is on an honor system, and the winner would have to contact all of the community members to arrange collecting it if successful. This is different compared to sites like Kickstarter, which hold the money in escrow until a project is completed or fully funded.

While other S5 variants have been fortunate enough to receive root (and on some, unlocked BL) upon release day, we over here on the Verizon have had the unfortunate experience of ever-increasing doubt in whether root will be achieved on our device. As the logical (and expected) progression from the S4, the S5 is locked down tighter than a drum - and the consensus on this device is that root would be worthy of higher accolades, than what root and unlocked bootloaders would have garnished in past Galaxy devices. I would like to personally offer a $500 bounty to the first person able to find or create a method, exploit, or unlock that allows us to fully root and provide the necessary steps for rooting the Verizon (and now, ATT) Galaxy S5 here on XDA. I am hoping this bounty, as with any others that choose to pledge here, would be a helpful motivation to the developers willing to invest the time and effort in helping us unlock the potential of this great new device. Or (where applicable) that this bounty will be a humble counter-offer to other potential sources of revenue for such work.

As the level of difficulty increases with each new device, the level of appreciation and admiration for those willing to find (and help find) such exploits increases exponentially. I cannot express my gratitude enough, for those who choose to tackle such an endeavor. In this vein, I would highly encourage any and all VZW/ATT S5 users to consider pledging a donation towards the efforts in helping us achieve this first-step. Please consider chipping in to this bounty, as this can only help increase our chances - and will help keep our variant in the minds of those who are willing and capable of finding an exploit. Those who want to help find an exploit, such as myself, but that lack the knowledge and experience in linux/java - this is your opportunity to help by contributing within your means. To reemphasize; this bounty is for achieving a root method/exploit only, and will apply to an unlock that precedes an explicit root method.

Greatly looking forward to anyone interested in becoming a candidate in this challenge to find a means for root.

XDA-Developers do list some requirements that need to be met in order to cash in, be the first person to create or find a method to achieve the following:
Exploiting a fully stock VRU1ANCG build to gain root access
Make a post in this thread with the following:
Proving it works with appropriate photos and/or screenshots
Providing full step-by-step instructions for which anyone else can follow
Wait for at least one member to follow the same method and confirm it works the same on their fully stock device with VRU1ANCG build
Claim your bounty via PM from pledger(s)