i9 Sports Franchise Costs $17K – $70K (+ 2024 Profits)

The i9 Sports franchise, established in 1995 and beginning its franchising journey in 2003, has grown to become the nation’s first and largest youth sports franchise. With its headquarters nestled in Riverview, Florida, i9 Sports has expanded, demonstrating its substantial presence across the United States.

This franchise stands out in the multi-billion dollar youth sports industry by offering a home-based business model that allows franchisees to operate with significant flexibility, except for busy Saturdays dedicated to games.​ 

i9 Sports prides itself on a business model that emphasizes fun, inclusivity, and a positive experience for children participating in its programs. Offering leagues, camps, and clinics for boys and girls aged 3 to 14, the franchise covers a wide array of popular sports including flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and lacrosse.

A. Lump Sum Franchise Fee for a 10-Year Agreement

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$25,000
Territory Fee	$15,000
Grand Opening Advertising	$6,000 – $8,000
Insurance	$1,000 – $2,000
Legal & Accounting Services	$1,000 – $2,000
Furniture, Equipment, Inventory, and Supplies	$3,000 – $4,000
Training Expenses	$1,000 – $2,000
Additional Funds–3 months	$8,000 – $13,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$60,000 – $70,000

B. Monthly Franchise Fee for a 5-Year Agreement

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$1,500 – $1,500
Territory Fee	$15,000 – $15,000
Grand Opening Advertising	$6,000 – $8,000
Insurance	$1,000 – $1,500
Legal & Accounting Services	$800 – $1,500
Furniture, Equipment, Inventory, and Supplies	$3,000 – $4,000
Training Expenses	$1,200 – $2,000
Additional Funds–3 months	$8,000 – $13,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$37,000 – $47,000

Note: The table above provides a snapshot of the main costs associated with starting the most common franchise format (as disclosed in the Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document). For a complete overview of all the expenses involved with the various formats offered by the franchisor, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Initial Franchise Fee

The initial franchise fee varies. For a 10-Year Agreement, the fee is a lump sum of $24,900. In contrast, for a 5-Year Agreement, it involves a monthly fee of $500.

Royalty Fee

The royalty fees are 7.5% of Network Revenues or a minimum of $425 per month for franchises serving fewer than 80,000 children aged 14 and under. For territories with more than 80,000 children, the minimum monthly royalty is $450.

Marketing/Advertising Fee

Franchisees are required to spend a minimum of 3% of Network Revenues on local advertising each month.

National Brand Fund Contribution

Franchisees are required to contribute to the National Brand Fund, which supports national advertising, marketing, and public relations. The contributions are either 1% of sales or a minimum of $275 per month, whichever is greater.

Transfer Fees

If a franchise is transferred, the fee is the greater of 50% of the then-current franchise fee or $12,450 for a 10-Year Agreement. For a 5-Year Agreement, the fee is consistently $12,450.

Renewal Fees

The renewal fee is $5,000, plus any expenses incurred by the franchisor in granting the renewal.

Franchise pros and cons

The Pros:

• Exclusive territory protection. The franchisor grants the franchisees the right to operate in a designated area. It does not authorize any other franchises to operate in the protected territory or operate competing brands.
• Simple franchise concept: The franchise does not require franchisees to purchase or rent a real estate facility. This lowers startup costs and improves earnings.
• Third-party financing: The franchisor provides its franchisees with in-house financing and third-party financing for the startup costs and ongoing costs.
• Multiple revenue streams: The brand provides multiple revenue streams to its franchisees, including player entry fees, merchandise, concessions and more.
• Quality training: The franchisor provides its franchisees with a comprehensive training program to familiarize them with its business concept and help them succeed. It also offers them help in launching their centers and provides them with ongoing coaching and support.
• Home-based opportunity: The franchise can be run from home or a mobile unit. Franchisees don’t require fixed office space or retail facilities. Also, it offers franchisees freedom and a good home/work balance.
• Marketing and advertising: i9 Sports helps franchisees with the marketing and public relations of their studios. Franchisees get access to inbuilt advertising resources and programs such as print media, social media, email marketing, regional advertising, national media, influencer marketing and targeted local studio promotional campaigns.
• Huge market potential: An i9 Sports franchise offers franchisees a great deal of growth potential due to its inbuilt and sustainable demand, with more than 60 million kids playing sports in America yearly.
• Site selection: The franchise helps the franchisees with site selection and configuration based on the population of kids under the age of 14, the density of that population and database analysis to help identify the most suitable business location.

The cons:

• Not a passive investment: The franchise does not allow for absentee ownership. Franchisees must be actively involved in the day-to-day decision-making and operations of their franchises.
• Not a part-time business. The franchisees are required to adhere to their franchisor’s operating hours.
• Competition: i9 Sports franchise faces competition from youth sports programs such as the local Parks and Recreation Department, the YMCA, competitive travel leagues and single-sport organizations or even other franchises like Amazing Athletes

How to open a i9 Sports franchise

Opening a i9 Sports franchise involves several steps, designed to ensure you are a good fit for the franchise. Here are the main steps to follow to open a i9 Sports franchise.

1. Conduct Thorough Research

• Understand the Brand: Familiarize yourself with i9 Sports, its history, mission, and the youth sports programs it offers.
• Evaluate the Market: Assess the demand for youth sports programs in your area and understand local competition.

2. Review Financial Requirements

• Assess Costs: Review the financial requirements for starting an i9 Sports franchise, including the initial investment range and ongoing fees.
• Secure Funding: Determine how you will finance your franchise, whether through savings, loans, or investors.

3. Submit an Inquiry

• Express Interest: Reach out to i9 Sports through their franchise inquiry process to express your interest and request more information.

4. Obtain and Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

• Review FDD: Carefully examine the FDD provided by i9 Sports for detailed information about the franchise opportunity.
• Consult Professionals: Consider consulting with a franchise attorney and a financial advisor to understand the FDD and financial implications.

5. Attend Discovery Day or Webinars

• Engage with the Franchise Team: Participate in a Discovery Day or webinar sessions to meet the i9 Sports team, ask questions, and gain deeper insights into the franchise.

6. Choose a Territory

• Select a Location: Work with i9 Sports to select a suitable territory for your franchise that meets demographic requirements and has potential for growth.

7. Complete Training

• Undergo Training: Participate in the comprehensive training program provided by i9 Sports, covering all aspects of running the franchise, including operations, marketing, and program management.

Disclaimer

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