i9 Sports®, the nation’s first and fastest-growing youth sports league franchise, announced today it experienced a record-breaking third quarter by generating the highest number of registrations of any season in its history with a 10 percent increase in same franchise unit registrations over the same quarter last year. Additionally, the company signed six new franchise agreements to open programs and expand the brand’s presence in Florida, California, North Carolina, Oregon, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
“We are thrilled at the record-breaking success we’ve experienced in 2015, which has allowed us to provide a fulfilling youth sports experience to more and more kids throughout the country,” said Brian Sanders, president and COO of i9 Sports. “Each of our new franchisees shares our commitment to helping kids succeed in life through sports, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome them to the i9 Sports family. We look forward to maintaining this momentum as we close out the year and continue positioning the i9 Sports brand and our franchisees for success.”
i9 Sports was founded in 2003 on the principle that the number one reason kids play organized sports is to have fun, not to become the next draft pick, and has since grown to 130 locations across the United States. The company’s commitment to creating a youth sports experience unlike any other has set it apart from its competitors and contributed to its ongoing success and recent record-breaking numbers. Additionally, with convenient flexible hours, no real estate or upfront inventory, i9 Sports is a low-investment, home-based franchise opportunity offering entrepreneurs a compelling business with great profit potential.
Leading the company’s expansion in Florida is Chris Prowant, who will be opening his first franchise in Tallahassee. Prowant was introduced to the brand when photographing a local league through his sports photography business, and as a lifelong sports enthusiast was enthused by the league’s commitment to providing kids a safe and fun environment to learn. His new program will offer baseball, soccer and flag football for the winter season.
Also among the new franchisee partners are husband and wife team Jay and Danielle Mechtly, who will be bringing i9 Sports to theWilmington community in North Carolina. Jay is a veteran who served in the army from June 2002 through September 2008 as an artillery officer. The couple’s four children all played in an i9 Sports league when the family lived in Texas, and decided to purchase a league of their own when they recently moved to Wilmington. Their program will open on January 9, 2016.
i9 Sports also welcomes Daniel Jacobson, who will be launching his first program in East Portland, Oregon in partnership with his son-in-law Brandon Harper. Both Jacobson and Harper have extensive backgrounds in business and played sports well into adulthood, with Jacobson coaching dozens of youth sports leagues, including an i9 Sports flag football league last summer. The team decided to get involved with i9 Sports after meeting with the company’s management team and being thoroughly impressed with its information and customer support systems.
Michael and Janet Caiazzo were introduced to i9 Sports when their son enrolled to play in a local league, and were so impressed with the organization they decided to purchase their own program in Poway, California. Janet has worked for a non-profit organization helping at-risk youth for 13 years, and is committed to providing children in their community a healthy and valuable service. The league is expected to open in January and will be offering flag football, soccer and t-ball programs.
Gene and Patty Gentrup will be leading i9 Sports’ expansion in Liberty, Missouri, which is one of the fastest growing areas in theKansas City region. The couple is passionate about youth sports, and purchased an i9 Sports league in an effort to help children in their community learn skills and lessons through sports that will serve them well in life. As residents of Liberty for 25 years, they are both extremely involved in the community and volunteer at a variety of local non-profit organizations. The new league will offer baseball, soccer, flag football, lacrosse and cheerleading.
Sayquan Scott will be launching his first i9 Sports franchise in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Scott formally served as a coach and referee at a local league in Pittsburgh, and decided to purchase a program of his own after witnessing first hand the potential for success i9 Sports offers. He hopes to make a positive impact on children in his community by providing a fun and safe environment to learn how to play sports, and will be offering flag football, soccer and t-ball programs.
i9 Sports plans to open dozens of new franchise locations each year over the next several years and has extensive franchise opportunities available across the country including a focus on markets in the Pacific Coast, Midwest and Northeast. The youth sports franchise is seeking qualified candidates with a desire to impact their local community. While sports experience is not required, the ideal candidate should have an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion to build a successful business with a community focus. For more information about franchising with i9 Sports please download our free report.
