The Original Profender

Tony Devine brings The Original Profender to the Shark Tank in episode 305. After a long and fruitless online search for a training device for his son, Devon, Devine invented The Original Profender. The device is meant to mimic a defending player dodging and weaving in front of a player. The unique design of the Original Profender gives the feeling of actually dodging an opponent, making it a useful tool for training college and professional athletes. Devine hopes to create a cheaper, more portable version for the home market. Will the Sharks pass on this one, or will Devine make a slam-dunk in the Shark Tank?

The Original Profender Shark Tank Recap

Devine comes into the tank with an offer of 15% for a $75,000 investment. He gives a brief demonstration. He has his son take shots while he uses The Original Profender to get in his face, distracting him, and imitating a real defender. Devine then offers Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, an opportunity to try the product for himself. Instead of The Original Profender, however, Devine presents Cuban with “the original offender,” a cut out with Kevin O’Leary’s face, delighting the Sharks.

Cuban does well against the first prototype, so Devine brings out a second O’Leary effigy, this one with hair, drawing even more laughter. Cuban likes the product, saying “there’s no question that there’s value,” but he wonders if the market is large enough.

Kevin O’Leary wants to know about sales. Devine’s been able to sell $25,000 of the product in the first year, simply selling them, quite literally, out of the back of his car. He’s been able to get some celebrity interest, which could lead to endorsements, but the price point is a sticking place for the Sharks. The product retails at $499.95, too high for the average basket ball program.

Who’s In?

Devine responds that he wants to create a second prototype, a simpler model that will retail for $199.99, to appeal to the homeowner market. Barbara Corcoran is impressed with his sales skills but not with Devine’s explanation of how he can create a lower-cost version of the same product. She’s out. Robert Herjavec doesn’t see the market at the $500 price point. He’s out.

Daymond John tells Devine that he thinks it’s a great idea, but, “I know a guy from the ‘hood, that will guarantee to come to your house every day, for the rest of his life, for $500, and guard you, and the rest of your family. And he’s tall.” He agrees with Corcoran and Herjavec, that the price point is too high. He’s out.

Kevin O’Leary thinks that, even at $200, the price point is too high. Only Mark Cuban remains. He likes the product, but he believes it would take him too much time to market. With that, the final Shark goes out, and Devine leaves the stage without a deal.

The Original Profender Shark Tank Update

In spite of his loss in the Tank, Devine continued to develop his product. Today, The Original Profender is in use in college and professional basketball training programs across the country. Devine turned to Kickstarter to fund development of his at-home version of The Original Profender, and brought the home-version unit to the market. The site advertises five different products, even moving into the football field. Although he didn’t get a Shark deal, Devine stayed in the game, and has his sites set on success.

Over the years, Tony added to his line. He has the top of the line, movable model for $799.99 and a stationary model for $199. He also has a big man pad a short coach can use to increase height and hand extenders. The Profenders can also be customized with a team log or any custom art. He has versions with mirrors on them too so you can see yourself shoot. Several pro teams use his products as well as a bunch of college programs.

As of July, 2022, he’s still in business and does $1 million in annual revenue.