5 Sports Franchises We Love

As the economy begins to bounce back in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs are beginning to explore new opportunities. And while the global sports industry saw a 15.4% decrease in 2020, its value is projected to increase by more than $400 billion to $826 billion in 2030.

Additionally, according to Yahoo! Finance, the fitness and recreational market accounted for 39.9% of the total revenue in 2020 with North America being the largest region in the global sports market.

Check out our top five sports franchises below.

Big Blue Swim School*

• Startup costs: $2,300,000-$3,600,000
• Units: 8
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2004 by Chris DeJong, an eight year U.S. National Swim Team veteran, who retired from the sport after Michael Phelps beat him in a qualifying swim for the Olympics. Rather than walk away, DeJong used his passion for the sport to open the brand’s first location in Wilmette, Illinois. The brand, which teaches children they can do anything by unlocking their potential in the water, is on track to sell a minimum of 150 pools by the end of 2021. Big Blue Swim School's real estate expertise, proprietary technology, and leadership support, coupled with its best-in-class consumer offerings, position its franchise partners for long-term success.

High Five Sports

• Startup costs: $21,000-$414,000
• Units: 20

Founded in 1990, High Five Sports is the largest youth sports entertainment franchise in the country. The brand, which offers programming for children from two years of age through eighth grade, offers both retail- and home-based franchise options. High Five Sports now offers online classes in addition to its in-person sports programs. 

Soccer Shots

• Startup costs: $41,000-$55,000
• Units: 242

Soccer Shots is a nationally recognized youth soccer development program designed for children ages two through eight. Its founders, Jeremy Sorzano and Jason Webb, were teammates both in college and professionally. In 1997, they realized there were no quality soccer programs for children under eight and decided to open the first Soccer Shots. Their mission is simple: to leave a lasting, positive impact on a child’s life through sports. The brand has trained more than 30 million children since being founded.

Extra Innings

• Startup costs: $158,000-$558,000
• Units: 33

Extra Innings was founded in a small 8,00 square foot facility in Massachusetts. However, soon after opening, it was clear there was a need in the sports franchise industry for a specialized, indoor baseball and softball center. In 2004, eight years after being founded, the brand began franchising. Extra Innings offers franchisees a proven business model, bulk discounts, buying power and key corporate partnerships. They also differentiate themselves by offering 24/7 online support and comprehensive training programs.

X-Golf

• Startup costs: $547,000-$650,000
• Units: 25

X-Golf was founded in 2005 and has proven itself an industry leader with the first variable lie changing stance platform and automatic ball teeing system. In an effort to adapt to the needs of a variety of golfers, X-Golf developed hardware and software innovations such as 3D collision and short-game playability. With these features and more, X-Golf offers franchisees a unique business model to introduce to their local community, which caters to die-hard golfers and the everyday amateur.