The Original Profender Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 3
A basketball training device designed to simulate real defenders impressed the Sharks with its concept, but high pricing became a major hurdle.
Tony Devine brought The Original Profender to Shark Tank Season 3, Episode 8. After a long, fruitless online search for a training device for his son, Devon Devine invented The Original Profender. The device was meant to mimic a defending player dodging and weaving in front of a player.
The unique design of the Original Profender gave the feeling of actually dodging an opponent, making it a useful tool for training college and professional athletes. Devine hoped to create a cheaper, more portable version for the home market.
The Sharks either passed on this one, or Devine failed to make a slam dunk in the Shark Tank.
About The Original Profender
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | The Original Profender |
| Founder | Tony Devine |
| Industry | Sports Equipment / Basketball Training |
| Product | Defensive simulation training device |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Investment Asked | $75,000 for 15% equity |
| Deal Status | No deal |
| Valuation | $500,000 (Ask) |
Tony Devine created The Original Profender after struggling to find a training device that could replicate real in-game defense for his son. Frustrated by the lack of realistic tools, he decided to build one himself.
With a background rooted in hands-on problem solving and a passion for basketball, he developed a product designed to mimic the movement and disruption of a live defender. His goal was simple: help players train in a way that actually translated to real-game situations.
From a pricing standpoint, the product retailed at around $499.95 at that time, positioning it as a premium training tool primarily for serious athletes, teams, and training programs.
The Original Profender Shark Tank Pitch
Devine came into the tank with an offer of 15% equity for a $75,000 investment. He gave a brief demonstration. He had his son take shots while he used The Original Profender to get in his face, distracting him and imitating a real defender.
The founder then offered Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, an opportunity to try the product for himself. Instead of The Original Profender, however, Devine presented Cuban with “the original offender,” a cutout with Kevin O’Leary’s face, delighting the Sharks.
Cuban did well against the first prototype, so Devine brought out a second O’Leary effigy, this one with hair, drawing even more laughter. Cuban liked the product and said, “There’s no question that there’s value,” but he wondered if the market was large enough.
Kevin O’Leary wanted to know about sales. The founder sold $25,000 of the product in the first year, simply selling them, quite literally, out of the back of his car.
He also generated some celebrity interest, which could have led to endorsements, but the price point is a sticking point for the Sharks. The product retailed at $499.95, too high for the average basketball program.
What Made The Original Profender Unique?
The following features made The Original Profender stand out in the sports training market:
- Simulated real defensive pressure during practice
- Helped improve in-game decision-making and accuracy
- Was designed for serious athletes, including college and pro players
- Offered a more dynamic alternative to traditional training tools
- Focused on realism rather than repetitive drills
Did The Original Profender Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Devine responded that he wanted to create a second prototype, a simpler model that would retail for $199.99, to appeal to the homeowner market.
Barbara Corcoran was impressed with his sales skills but not with Devine’s explanation of how he could create a lower-cost version of the same product. She was out. Robert Herjavec didn’t see the market at the $500 price point. He was out.
Daymond John told Devine that he thinks it was a great idea, but “I know a guy from the ‘hood, who 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 agreed with Corcoran and Herjavec that the price point was too high. He was out.
Kevin O’Leary thought the price point was too high, even at $200. Only Mark Cuban remained. He liked the product, but he believed it would take him too much time to market. With that, the final Shark went out, and Devine left the stage without a deal.
The Original Profender Shark Tank Update
Despite his loss in the Tank, Devine continued to develop his product. The Original Profender was in use in college and professional basketball training programs across the country.
Devine turned to Kickstarter to fund the development of his at-home version of The Original Profender and brought the home-version unit to the market. The site advertised 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 sights set on success.
Over the years, Tony added to his line. He had the top-of-the-line, movable model for $799.99 and a stationary model for $199.
He also had a big man pad, a short coach could use to increase height, and hand extenders. The Profenders could also be customized with a team logo or any custom art. He has versions with mirrors on them, too, so you could see yourself shoot. Several pro teams and a bunch of college programs used his products.
By July 2022, he had made $1 million in annual revenue. However, the company is no longer in business. Their official website and social media platforms seem to be inactive since 2022.
Posts About The Original Profender on Shark Tank Blog
- Learn more about the journey behind the product in the Profender Inventor Tony Devine Interview.
- You can also revisit how it all started with The Original Profender Shark Tank Preview.
Where Can You Buy It?
The Original Profender was available through their social media, both on Instagram & Facebook, where customers could explore different models and customization options. But their social media pages have been inactive since 2022 as they went out of business.
Quick Summary
- Tony Devine pitched The Original Profender, seeking $75,000 for 15% equity to expand his basketball training device designed to simulate real defenders.
- Despite $25,000 in sales and interest from professional athletes, the Sharks passed on the product due to concerns over its high price point, with models retailing at $499.95.
- Post-show, Devine continued to develop The Original Profender, expanding his product line and growing his business, achieving $1 million in annual revenue by 2022. As of 2026, the company is no longer operating.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 3 Episodes.
Curious about the other businesses featured in Shark Tank Season 3 Episode 8? Explore more updates and see which ideas made a splash in the Tank.
