i9 Sports

What i9 Sports does

i9 Sports is the largest multi-sport franchise provider of community-based youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics in the United States, serving children ages 3-14 and their families. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the company operates through a franchise model with independent franchisees delivering recreational sports programs in hundreds of communities nationwide across flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, cheerleading, track & field, and golf. Programs are organized by age divisions (Pee Wee, Junior, Senior) and follow a no-tryouts, equal-playing-time, one-day-per-week format. The company has recorded over 5 million cumulative registrations since inception and is a portfolio company of Youth Enrichment Brands, LLC, which also operates US Sports Camps, SafeSplash Swim School, and School of Rock.

The company's technology stack centers on the i9 Sports Game Day App (i9 Sports Mobile Coach) and the i9sports.coach online platform, which together provide volunteer coaches with sport-specific practice plans, drill videos, rule books, and coaching guidance. The platform integrates third-party content from SportsEdTV (instructional video across 30+ sports), TeachAids (Crash Course concussion education), and the Positive Coaching Alliance. The company also operates an e-commerce merchandise store, the i9 Sports Association 501(c)(3) non-profit providing financial assistance to income-restricted families, and the Nike Kids Camps powered by i9 Sports co-branded product for ages 5-12. Industry-first safety protocols include the 2005 Parental Pledge, the 2011 "When in Doubt Sit Out" concussion policy, and a 2011 heading ban in soccer.

i9 Sports generates revenue through three primary streams: recurring youth sports program registration fees paid by families (non-refundable, quoted per sport and location), franchise fees and royalties paid by independent franchisees, and one-time merchandise sales through the online store. The company employs a franchise-licensed go-to-market motion with community-led engagement, partnering with local parks, schools, and community organizations rather than building or owning physical facilities. Parent Youth Enrichment Brands reported a 20% increase in franchise agreements and the opening of 100+ new units across its brand portfolio in 2025, and the company has been investing in customer segment expansion (notably the "Gains are for the Girls" initiative targeting 500,000 girl participants annually by 2030) and brand partnerships (USA Football, Nike) to support continued unit growth.

Name

i9 Sports

Legal name

i9 Sports, LLC

Website

https://i9sports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

i9 Sports is the largest multi-sport franchise provider of community-based youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics in the United States, serving children ages 3-14 and their families through 5 million-plus cumulative registrations across hundreds of communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Strength & Conditioning / Athletic Performance Training (HSADAEAB), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Youth sports leagues
• Recreational youth athletics
• Community youth sports
• Youth sports franchise
• Youth sports programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Youth Sports Program Registration Fees: Parents pay registration fees for children to participate in youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics. Registration fees are non-refundable and cover program participation including practice sessions, games, trained officials, and sportsmanship awards.
2. Merchandise Sales: i9 Sports operates an e-commerce store selling uniforms, athletic apparel, sports equipment, and fan gear including uniforms, shorts, shirts, socks, athletic gear, water bottles, and branded merchandise.
3. Franchise Fees: Independent franchisees pay franchise fees to operate i9 Sports youth sports programs in their local communities. The company provides brand, systems, training, and support in exchange for franchise fees and ongoing royalties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

i9 Sports operates as a franchise-based youth sports provider delivering recreational leagues, camps, and clinics for children ages 3–14 across multiple sports including flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, cheerleading, track & field, and golf. Programs are delivered through a nationwide network of independent franchisees using a one-day-per-week practice-before-game format emphasizing fun, sportsmanship, age-appropriate instruction, equal playing time, and no-tryout participation. The company also supports volunteer coaches via the i9 Sports Game Day mobile app and the i9sports.coach online coaching platform.

Product overview

i9 Sports operates as the nation's largest multi-sport provider of community-based youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics, offering programs in flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, tennis, cheerleading, track & field, golf, and multi-sport discovery for kids ages 3 and up. The company operates on a franchise model with over 5 million historical registrations across the United States. Its portfolio consists of three primary pillars: (1) Core Youth Sports Programs — recreational leagues, camps, and supplemental clinics delivered through local franchise operators, organized by age divisions (Pee Wee, Junior, Senior) and including co-ed and girls-specific offerings; (2) Technology & Coaching Tools — the i9 Sports Game Day App (mobile coach platform with coaching resources, practice plans, rule books, and integrated partner content from SportsEdTV and TeachAids), plus the Coach Training & Certification program powered by Nike/USOC content; and (3) Merchandise & Community Programs — an e-commerce store selling uniforms, apparel, and athletic gear, alongside the i9 Sports Association (501(c)(3) non-profit) providing financial assistance to income-restricted families, and the Gains are for the Girls initiative targeting 500,000 girl participants annually by 2030. The flagship co-branded product is Nike Kids Camps powered by i9 Sports, combining i9 Sports' league operations with Nike's sport science and programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gains are for the Girls: Initiative campaign aimed at getting 500,000 girls playing sports annually by 2030, including inclusive programs and strategic partnerships.
• Nike Kids Camps
• The Way Youth Sports Should Be®

Products and services

• Youth Sports Leagues Recreational, community-based youth sports leagues for children ages 3 and up across flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, cheerleading, track & field, and golf. Programs use a one-day-per-week practice-before-game format with no tryouts, equal playing time, age-appropriate instruction in Pee Wee (3-4), Junior (5-7), and Senior (8-14) divisions, and weekly sportsmanship awards.
• Youth Sports Camps & Clinics Structured summer camps and supplemental weekly clinics offering kids multi-sport sampling and developmental instruction beyond the standard league format, available at select i9 Sports locations.
• Nike Kids Camps powered by i9 Sports Co-branded week-long summer day camps for kids ages 5–12 where participants try multiple sports in a fun-filled atmosphere, combining i9 Sports' organization and inclusiveness with Nike sport science and elevated programming.
• Coach Training & Certification Program Formal volunteer coach certification program featuring "How to Coach Kids" content designed by Nike and the U.S. Olympic Committee, training coaches on i9 Sports culture, the coaching role, available resources, and required JDP criminal background check compliance.
• i9 Sports Online Store Own e-commerce merchandise store selling uniforms, athletic apparel, sport-specific gear, accessories, and branded items for children, adults, coaches, and referees across categories including uniform bottoms, bundles, men's/women's/unisex/children's apparel, socks, hats, bags, athletic equipment, coach store, referee store, and clearance items.
• i9 Sports Association (501(c)(3) Financial Assistance Program) Non-profit arm of i9 Sports providing financial assistance for youth athletic activities to income-restricted families whose children ages 3–14 cannot otherwise afford to participate in i9 Sports programs nationwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5 million youth sports registrations completed across the United States
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USA FootballcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA Football partnership enhances i9 Sports youth flag football leagues through alignment with the Football Development Model (FDM). USA Football powers flag football offerings with progressive, age-appropriate skill instruction. Rules align with USA Football regional and national tournaments, preparing athletes for future competitive opportunities.
• TeachAidscoreStrategic or Co-development Partneri9 Sports partnered with TeachAids to provide concussion education technology (Crash Course) to coaches and athletes. Resources focus on prevention and treatment of concussions and mental health for athletes. Materials available in the i9 Sports Game Day app.
• Nike (Nike Kids Camps)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNike Kids Camps powered by i9 Sports provides summer day camps where kids ages 5-12 can try multiple sports in a fun environment. Camps combine i9 Sports organization and sportsmanship focus with Nike sport science and elevated experience. Nike provides programming content and brand association.
• Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA partnered with i9 Sports to provide dedicated coaching resources on how to coach young female athletes for the Gains are for the Girls initiative. Training ensures positive, supportive coaching for girls and parents.
• Coaching HerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoaching Her partnered with i9 Sports to provide dedicated coaching resources for the Gains are for the Girls initiative, focusing on coaching young female athletes effectively.
• CirkulminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCirkul is listed as a partner/sponsor of i9 Sports, appearing in the partners section of the website.
• Spiderfit KidsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpiderfit Kids is listed as a partner/sponsor of i9 Sports, appearing in the partners section of the website.
• Label DaddyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLabel Daddy is listed as a partner/sponsor of i9 Sports with a dedicated store banner link to i9sports branded products.
• Aspen Institute Project PlaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partneri9 Sports supports the Aspen Institute's national Project Play initiative and has been selected as a Project Play Champion for taking meaningful actions to encourage multi-sport sampling and help grow national youth sports participation rates.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Skyhawks Sports Academy: National provider of youth sports programs, camps, and clinics for ages 4-14 in sports including flag football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and tennis. Operates a franchise and licensing model similar to i9 Sports and competes directly for the same recreational, community-based participation niche.
• Little League International: World's largest organized youth sports program, offering baseball and softball leagues to millions of children globally. Direct competitor in youth baseball/t-ball and a benchmark for organized community-based league operations.
• National Pop Warner (Pop Warner Little Scholars): National youth football, cheer, and dance organization offering leagues for ages 5-16. Competes with i9 Sports in flag football for younger participants and cheerleading, though with a more competitive/travel-oriented orientation.
• Challenger Sports: US youth soccer programs operator offering camps, leagues, and player development via franchise network. Comparable to i9 Sports in franchise-driven community soccer delivery and parallel business model.
• US Youth Soccer: National governing body for youth soccer in the US, organizing recreational and competitive leagues through state associations and local clubs. Direct competitor in youth soccer and a major channel for community-based registration.
• YMCA: National community-based organization offering youth sports leagues, including basketball, soccer, flag football, and baseball, at low or subsidized price points across most US markets. Direct competitor for the same parent demographic seeking affordable recreational youth sports.

Broad incumbents

• Jr. NBA / NBA Youth Basketball: The NBA's official youth basketball participation program, providing leagues, clinics, and curriculum across the US. Comparable to i9 Sports in offering age-appropriate, structured recreational basketball but backed by a major professional league brand.

Others

• US Sports Camps (sister brand): Operates Nike Sports Camps and other youth sports camp brands; part of the same Youth Enrichment Brands portfolio as i9 Sports. Highly comparable in audience (kids 5-12) and product type (multi-sport day camps) but focuses on camp rather than league format.
• SafeSplash Swim School (sister brand): Franchise-based youth swim school also under the Youth Enrichment Brands portfolio. Targets overlapping age range (kids 3-14) and families, but focused on swim instruction rather than team sports. Adjacent peer for cross-brand customer economics.

Emerging players

• Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & community youth running programs: Various community-based youth running and fitness event operators in the US that compete for the same recreational activity time slot as i9 Sports leagues, particularly for ages 6-12. Less national scale but emerging in the wellness-oriented youth programming niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/i9sports
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJEFLuh50bUNX1AxztriolA
• Facebookfacebook.com/i9sports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/i9-sports
• Instagraminstagram.com/i9_Sports
• Pinterestpinterest.com/i9Sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about i9 Sports