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Scottsdale company offers video training with the pros
Three kids mimic Boris Diaw's every move as the Phoenix Suns forward winds through ball handling, dribbling and passing drills.

The 6-foot, 8-inch forward is in the midst of a four-hour film shoot at the team's practice facility, beneath the stands of US Airways Center.

Diaw is the latest professional athlete to partner with Protege Sports, which is trying to revolutionize a niche sector with instant product delivery and interactive services, with a twist of iTunes-like marketing.

The Scottsdale company charges 99 cents to $5 for one- to five-minute video drills that are downloaded from the company's Web site. The business model also includes one-on-one sales -- targeted primarily to grammar schools, high schools and private clubs -- and mobile distribution, similar to ring-tone sales.

"We see a very interesting opportunity to bridge the gap between the professional athlete and youth," said Protege Chairman and Chief Executive Andrew Lombard, the father of four children.

Lombard, who ran Motorola's North Asian division and venture capital group, started Protege with Ron Shaffer last year. Lombard was introduced to Shaffer during his search for strategic assistance in forming the company.

Both are big sports fans and saw an opportunity in the marketplace, especially given the proliferation of social media integration and acceptance.

Since its October launch, the firm has worked with a variety of athletes, including retired baseball player Tim Salmon, the Arizona Diamondbacks' Orlando Hudson, National Basketball Association Hall of Famers Bob Lanier and George Gervin, Women's NBA star Katie Smith, and golfers Gary McCord and Peter Kostis.

Unlike similar models, where the talent gets less than 10 percent of the cut, these athletes make 20 percent to 25 percent from sales of their training vignettes. The company projects to hit $5 million in sales within the next 18 months.

The company has inked several deals to expand its services and products, including the rights to Magic Johnson, Jimmie Connors and Steve Nash videos, and agreements to be the preferred vendor of Cal Ripken Baseball, Little League and many U.S. soccer clubs.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/07/30/story12.html?ana=from_rss

posted : 19-Dec-07

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