i9 Sports vs Skyhawks Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of i9 Sports vs Skyhawks including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
i9 Sports Franchise
Skyhawks Franchise
Investment $59,900 - $69,900$30,800 - $94,500
Franchise Fee $24,900$17,500 - $42,500
Royalty Fee 7.5%9% -6%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 20021979
Year Franchised 20032007
Term Of Agreement 7 years7 years
Term Of Agreement 7 years7 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
i9 Sports Franchise
Skyhawks Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    i9 Sports Franchise
    Skyhawks Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    i9 Sports Franchise
    Skyhawks Franchise
    Training Optional refresher training available On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 16 hours Additional Training: Software training
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 20%% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (20% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 1 - 7

    Expansion Plans

     
    i9 Sports Franchise
    Skyhawks Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About i9 Sports

    i9 Sports was founded by Frank V. Fiume, Jr., in 2002 and began franchising in 2003. Franchisees operate local amateur sports leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics and special events for kids. Sports include flag football, basketball, cheerleading, and soccer. i9 Sports is the first and fastest-growing youth sports league franchise company in the United States. With more than 1,000,000 registrations in communities from New York to Hawaii, i9 Sports offers leagues, camps, and clinics for boys and girls ages 3-14 in today's most popular team sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball and baseball. A privately held company, i9 Sports was founded in 2003 by CEO Frank Fiume on the principle that the number one reason kids play organized sports is to have fun, not to become the next draft pick. Reinventing the youth sports industry, customers enjoy the i9 Sports Experience which emphasizes fun, safety and convenience as well as teaching the value of good sportsmanship. Named #1 Children's Fitness Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine, i9 Sports has been ranked in their prestigious Franchise 500 issue the past eight years. i9 Sports has also been listed among INC Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Companies for the past five years and received Franchise Business Review's Top 50 in Franchise Satisfaction Award for five years.

    "Entrepreneur
    #457 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About Skyhawks

    Since 1979, over 1,000,000 children have participated in a Skyhawks program! Skyhawks is the nation's leader in sports programs for children. Skyhawks is a brand with national exposure and appeal - and offers a dependable and rewarding business to own. With the Skyhawks system, franchisees will teach children and young adults meaningful life lessons through athletics. Franchisees will have exclusive territories to operate athletic camps and programs in a variety of sports for local schools, park and recreation departments, and other community-based organizations - wherever children are found.
    Skyhawks has developed a system to sell its services, market its programs, and hire and train employees to implement those programs.
    The Skyhawks Program is founded upon a coaching philosophy and methodology that have evolved and been fine-tuned for over 25 years.
    The Skyhawks Program also includes marketing strategies and the technology to manage events, marketing, and staff,
    all of which are clearly outlined in the Skyhawks Confidential Operations Manual.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Skyhawks franchised business is between $30,800 and $71,750. This includes $17,500 to $42,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s).
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Skyhawks franchised business with one additional territory is between $41,650 and $94,500. This includes $28,350 to $65,250 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s).
    Veteran Incentives  30% off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #217 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #137 in Franchise 500 for 2021.