In athletics, staying in top physical shape was key. But it wasn’t unusual for some athletes to let their fitness slide after their active careers. Tony Devine noticed this problem and came up with a solution: The Original Profender.
Tony stepped into the Shark Tank, asking for $75,000 in exchange for 15% of his business. The Original Profender was a basketball training tool that could stretch and move to copy real game movements. But did he get the deal? Find out in our The Original Profender Shark Tank Update!
The Original Profender Net Worth
Tony Devine asked for a $75,000 investment in exchange for 15% equity in his company. This meant he valued his company at $500,000. He did not make a deal with any of the Sharks. After the show, The Original Profender continued to grow, secured partnerships with professional basketball training programs and generated around $1 million. Unfortunately, the company went out of business. Therefore, the current net worth of The Original Profender is $0.
The Original Profender Shark Tank Update
What Happened To The Original Profender After Shark Tank?
Even though Devine didn’t get a deal in the Tank, he kept working on his product. He didn’t give up and teamed up with professional basketball training programs. Some of his customers included the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, and Syracuse. On top of that, he was bringing in around $1 million in annual revenue.
Did The Original Profender Get a Deal On Shark Tank?
Barbara doubted his ability to create a lower-cost version of the product, leading her to decline. Robert exited next and expressed concerns about the market viability at the $500 price point. Daymond also agreed with Barbara and Robert that the price was too high, prompting him to opt-out. Kevin shared similar concerns, stating that even a $200 price point is excessive. Mark felt that the product’s marketing would require more time than he was willing to invest. Ultimately, he was out, too.
| Shark(s) Name | Offer and Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
Founders Backstory
A big part of good training is being able to show techniques, drills, and exercises in person. Devine wanted to create a device that would help train players and support athletes who couldn’t always perform at their best. After searching online for a training tool for his son, Devine came up with The Original Profender.
This device gave players a realistic feel of going up against a defender, even when no one else was around to practice with. It became a must-have tool for athletes who needed to keep their skills sharp without depending on someone else. Devine’s goal was to give players the experience of dodging an opponent, making it a strong training aid.
Initial Pitch
Tony Devine entered the Shark Tank accompanied by his son, who served as the inspiration behind the product. He sought an investment of $75,000 for an equity of 15%. He introduced The Original Profender as a unique training device. It was designed to help basketball players improve their shooting skills by simulating the presence of a defender. The product featured a rolling system with a handle. It allowed the coaches to move the device back and forth in front of the shooting player.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of The Original Profender, Devine showcased the product in action with his son. He illustrated how it could be a valuable tool for coaches who struggled to physically keep up with their players. Devine invited Mark Cuban to try out the product himself. Instead of The Original Profender, Devine presented Mark with “the original offender,” a cut out with Kevin’s face.
Mark successfully navigated the first prototype. That prompted Devine to bring out a second O’Leary cutout, which elicited even more laughter from the panel. Through his pitch, Devine effectively demonstrated both the practicality and the entertainment value of his product.
Queries About the Product
The Sharks inquired whether similar products existed on the market. Devine explained that while there are other options, they lack the dynamic functionality of The Original Profender. Mark Cuban acknowledged the value of the product but expressed concerns about whether the market was large enough to support it.
Kevin then asked about sales. To that, Tony responded that he had made $25,000 in the first year by selling the units directly from his truck. He also mentioned that he had garnered some celebrity interest It could potentially lead to endorsements, further boosting the product’s visibility. Mark followed up by asking about the cost of the product. Tony revealed that each Original Profender was priced at $499.95. The Sharks were surprised by the high price point.
Robert asked Mark if he would personally purchase one. Mark responded that NBA teams and possibly Division 1 schools might afford such a product. It was unlikely that the average family would invest in it at that price. Robert then questioned Tony about his plan to generate profits, given the limited market for such a high-cost item.
Tony explained that they were also planning to introduce a retail version of The Original Profender. He mentioned that it would be priced at $199. The lower-cost version was aimed at making the product more accessible to a broader market, including families and amateur athletes.
Shark’s Response and Final Deal
Barbara acknowledged Devine’s impressive sales skills but expressed concern about not seeing the $199 model he had mentioned. Without a physical prototype for this more affordable version, she wasn’t convinced it could successfully penetrate the market. Due to those uncertainties, she decided to step out of the deal. Robert shared his doubts about the product’s market potential. He couldn’t envision a large enough customer base willing to invest in such a niche and costly item. It led him to bow out as well.
Daymond echoed similar concerns. He agreed that while the product had merit, its high cost would likely deter many potential buyers. Because of those reasons, he opted out. Kevin remained unconvinced and questioned whether the market could sustain such a premium product. He ultimately decided to pass on the opportunity. Devine made a final attempt to sway Marl.
He emphasized the product’s unique value and potential for success, particularly with professional teams. However, Mark remained hesitant. He acknowledged the product’s value but reiterated his concern about the time and effort required to bring it to a broader market. In the end, Mark also decided to pass.
What Went Wrong With The Original Profender on Shark Tank?
The Sharks admired Tony’s determination and appreciated his salesmanship. However, they were collectively concerned about the product’s ability to succeed in the market at such a high price point. The doubts about its potential lack of broad market demand ultimately led them to pass on the opportunity.
Product Availability
The company is now out of business.
Conclusion
Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary, and Mark Cuban all decided to pass on the deal. They didn’t think the product would work well at the $499.95 price. Even though Devine didn’t get an investment, he didn’t give up. He kept working on his product and teamed up with professional basketball programs. As a result, he started making around $1 million each year. However, the company eventually went out of business.
My name is Saad, and I’m a Civil engineer turned web developer and a passionate content writer. One of my favorite tv shows to watch is Shark Tank. The entire business aspect of the show and how everyone wants to be an entrepreneur resonates with my inner entrepreneur side as well. Writing for the show as well as being a fan, I love every second that I write for it. Read more About me.