Harlem Wizards
Harlem Wizards is a family-owned show basketball entertainment company founded in 1962 that delivers interactive trick-shot performances and fundraising games to K-8 schools, non-profits, and community events across the United States, operating four touring player units.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersFairfield, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Harlem Wizards does
Harlem Wizards is a private, family-owned show basketball entertainment company headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey, founded in 1962 by Howie Davis and currently led by his son, President/CEO Todd Davis, with grandson Rick Schreiber serving as VP of Sales. The company operates four touring player units — Empire, All-Star, Legends, and Assembly & Special Events — that travel the United States in customized vans delivering interactive trick-shot basketball shows combining athletic performance, comedy, audience participation, and character education.
The core revenue model is event-driven. The flagship Fundraising Game pits the Wizards against local teachers, principals, and community leaders, with host organizations (PTOs, PTAs, non-profits) retaining up to 52% of ticket proceeds and the Wizards taking the balance; typical hosts report $5,000–$20,000 raised per event, with $3M+ raised across 450+ communities in a recent season. A second product line, the WizFit Challenge, extends the model into a two-week in-school fitness and character-education fundraiser with a donation web portal. Assembly Programs ($1,450–$3,500 per show), Fairs & Festivals performances, and a Basketball Camp round out the live-event portfolio, while an e-commerce web store (BigCommerce) sells replica jerseys, basketballs (manufactured by Baden Sports), apparel, and accessories, with merchandise generating 75–80% retained revenue per event.
Distribution combines direct field sales via a regional rep team (NJ, FL, Southwest/West Coast, PA/VA), online ticketing through ThunderTix ($1.99 processing fee), on-site event sales, and earned media/PR coverage. The company has toured nearly all 50 U.S. states and over 20 countries including ten tours of China since 2000, with crowds documented as high as 10,000+. There is no disclosed external capital, no technology stack beyond standard e-commerce and ticketing SaaS, and no AI/ML capabilities referenced. The business is a niche, cash-generative live entertainment franchise whose growth levers are product diversification (WizFit, assemblies, camps), merchandise expansion, and continued geographic build-out.
Harlem Wizards firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Harlem Wizards
- Legal name
- Harlem Wizards LLC
- Website
- https://harlemwizards.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Harlem Wizards is a family-owned show basketball entertainment company founded in 1962 that delivers interactive trick-shot performances and fundraising games to K-8 schools, non-profits, and community events across the United States, operating four touring player units.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Harlem Wizards industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Sports & Entertainment
- NAICS
- Spectator Sports (71121), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Basketball Leagues (MPAKAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH), Sports Collectibles, Fan Gear & Licensed Merchandise Retail (CRAMABAO)
Keywords
Where Harlem Wizards is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fairfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Harlem Wizards business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: The Wizards generate revenue through ticket sales to their basketball entertainment events. Host organizations retain a portion of ticket proceeds (up to 52%) as fundraising revenue.
- Souvenir and Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including jerseys, basketballs, apparel, accessories, and collectibles through the official web store and at events. Host organizations earn 20-25% commission on souvenir sales.
- Assembly Program Fees: Schools book the Wizards for assembly programs featuring basketball tricks, comedy, and character education. Pricing varies by show format and team size.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Half-court Assembly - One Wizard |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Half-court Assembly - Two Wizards |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Two Back-to-Back Shows - One Wizard |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Two Back-to-Back Shows - Two Wizards |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | General Admission Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Courtside Plus Tickets |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Harlem Wizards product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Harlem Wizards delivers live show basketball entertainment for school, nonprofit, and community events through four touring player units. Core offerings include Wizards-vs.-Teachers fundraising games, the two-week WizFit Challenge fitness fundraiser, school assembly programs built around character education, and fairs & festivals stage shows. The company also runs an official e-commerce merchandise store selling replica jerseys, basketballs, apparel, and accessories.
Product overview
Harlem Wizards is a show basketball entertainment company founded in 1962, offering interactive basketball performances for fundraising and community events. The company operates four player units (Empire, All-Star, Legends, and Assembly & Special Events) that deliver trick-shot and comedy shows across the USA. Core offerings include Fundraising Games (Wizards vs. Teachers events), the WizFit Challenge fitness fundraiser, School Assembly Programs, and Fair & Festival shows. The company also operates an e-commerce web store selling official merchandise including replica jerseys, basketballs, apparel, and accessories. The business model centers on helping schools and nonprofits raise funds while providing family entertainment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fundraising Games Interactive trick-hoops basketball show where the Harlem Wizards play against local teachers, principals, and community leaders. Combines comedy, audience participation, and community fundraising for schools and nonprofits.
- WizFit Challenge Two-week in-school fun fitness donation-based fundraiser combining wellness, character education, and basketball motivation. Includes interactive assembly kickoff, custom donation web portal, six video workouts, graduation day celebration with players, and souvenir prize incentives for participants.
- Assembly Program School-based entertainment show featuring comedic skits, ball-handling tricks, student participation, and character education messages (WizFit acronym: Wellness, Imagination, Zero Bullying, Fun, Inspiration, Teamwork). Available as one-Wizard or two-Wizard shows in gymnasium or multipurpose settings with pricing of $1,450 (one Wizard) or $2,500 (two Wizards) per half-court show for up to 500 students.
- Fairs & Festivals Program Interactive basketball shows at fairs, festivals, and community events. Offers full-court games against local celebrities or condensed stage shows with high-energy crowd participation, suitable for outdoor venues and large gatherings.
- Harlem Wizards Web Store E-commerce platform selling official merchandise including replica jerseys, basketballs, apparel, accessories, and collectibles. Categories include package deals, jerseys, basketballs, apparel, and collectibles. Hosts earn 20–25% commission on souvenir sales. Powered by BigCommerce.
- Game Day Pack Merchandise package deal including 'Wiz Kid' Replica Jersey (Gold), Wide Headband, Wristband (Gold), Shooting Sleeve (Gold), and Pair Basketball Socks (Gold). Designed for fans to look like their favorite Wizard on game day.
- Draft Pack Entry-level merchandise package for new Wizards fans. Includes Regulation size rubber basketball (Gold/Purple), 'Wiz Kid' Replica Jersey (Gold), Snapback Hat (Gold), and Drawstring Bag.
- Official Game Ball Official game ball used by the Harlem Wizards during games. Features red, white, and purple panels, regulation size, indoor use only. Produced by Baden Sports.
- Mini Basketball - Gold Mini-sized rubber basketball in gold/purple colorway, sold via the official Harlem Wizards web store. Suitable for indoor/outdoor play and for younger fans.
- Regulation Basketball - Gold Regulation-size rubber basketball in gold/purple colorway with custom Wizards art, produced by Baden Sports and sold via the official web store.
Quantifiable outcome
- Typical profit between $5,000-$20,000 per event; high amount earned last season by one group was $45,000
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Harlem Wizards
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Harlem Wizards technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Harlem Wizards partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Dream FactoryminorOfficial charity partner of the Harlem Wizards. The Dream Factory grants dreams to critically and chronically ill children ages 3-18. The Wizards support this organization as part of their community outreach.
- Skyterra WellnessminorCEO Todd Davis has attended wellness retreats at Skyterra since 2023 and appeared on their 'Inspired Intentions' podcast discussing personal wellness journey.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Harlem Wizards competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- School Assembly Programs (various): A school assembly booking agency and competing provider of character education and anti-bullying assembly programs. Directly competes with the Wizards' Assembly Program offering for the same K-8 school budget.
- Boosterthon Fun Run: A major K-8 school fundraising platform combining fitness activities with fundraising. Competes with the Wizards for the same school fundraising dollars with a lower-friction, technology-enabled format that doesn't require an in-person event.
- Get In The Game Sports & Entertainment: Another school fundraising entertainment provider featuring former athletes who perform at school events. A more direct functional peer competing for the same school-hosted fundraising event budget.
Others
- Dream Factory Foundation: National wish-granting charity for critically and chronically ill children, which is the official charity partner of the Harlem Wizards. Thematically aligned in the children and family event/entertainment space and indicative of the Wizards' nonprofit ecosystem.
- Baden Sports: Basketball and sporting goods manufacturer that produces the official Harlem Wizards game ball. A direct commercial partner and adjacent ecosystem participant that could be relevant as a peer for the Wizards' merchandise/equipment business.
Broad incumbents
- Disney on Ice / Feld Entertainment: Large-scale family entertainment touring company producing Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, and similar traveling shows. Comparable in operating a touring live entertainment model targeting families and schools, but at much larger scale and with licensed IP.
- Varsity Spirit: A large established player in school and youth sports including cheerleading, dance, and camps. Comparable in monetizing the K-12 school sports and spirit category, though it serves a different functional niche (competitive spirit programs vs. entertainment).
Direct peers
- Washington Generals: Long-running opponents of the Harlem Globetrotters who also perform interactive basketball exhibitions. Operates in the same show basketball category and competes for school and family entertainment bookings.
- Harlem Ambassadors: A show basketball organization that also books fundraising games at schools and community events. Competes directly with the Wizards in the school fundraising basketball show category with a similar product format.
- Harlem Globetrotters: The dominant show basketball entertainment organization and the Wizards' direct historical competitor. Both deliver theatrical basketball performances combining comedy, trick shots, and audience participation for schools, families, and corporate events.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Harlem Wizards social profiles
Digital presenceHarlem Wizards financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Harlem Wizards leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Harlem Wizards funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Harlem Wizards M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Harlem Wizards
What does Harlem Wizards do?
Harlem Wizards delivers live show basketball entertainment for school, nonprofit, and community events through four touring player units. Core offerings include Wizards-vs.-Teachers fundraising games, the two-week WizFit Challenge fitness fundraiser, school assembly programs built around character education, and fairs & festivals stage shows. The company also runs an official e-commerce merchandise store selling replica jerseys, basketballs, apparel, and accessories.
Is Harlem Wizards a public or private company?
Harlem Wizards is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Harlem Wizards founded?
Harlem Wizards was founded in 1962. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Harlem Wizards based?
Harlem Wizards is headquartered in Fairfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Harlem Wizards make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are souvenir and Merchandise Sales and assembly Program Fees.
Who are Harlem Wizards's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are School Assembly Programs (various), Boosterthon Fun Run and Get In The Game Sports & Entertainment. Others are Dream Factory Foundation and Baden Sports. Broad incumbents are Disney on Ice / Feld Entertainment and Varsity Spirit. Direct peers are Washington Generals, Harlem Ambassadors and Harlem Globetrotters.
Does Harlem Wizards have an API?
No public API is recorded for Harlem Wizards.
What industry is Harlem Wizards in?
Harlem Wizards's product category is Live Sports & Entertainment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAAAD, Basketball Leagues, with a secondary code of MPAKAKAK, Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support). Its NAICS code is 71121 and its SIC code is 7900.