Whatever Happened To Bad Birdie After Shark Tank? – Looper

Jason Richardson opens his “Shark Tank” presentation alongside two companions wearing what he considers to be boring golf polo designs that represent what has become an industry standard. They disappear and change into a couple of Bad Birdie polos, which he proposes reflect a shift in the sport of golf toward a more vibrant and diverse culture.

Once they start talking numbers, Richardson reveals that Bad Birdie’s sales totaled $72,000 in its first year and $412,000 the following year. At the time of filming, he had netted more than $700,000 with a projected $1.2 million in sales. An investment, he explains, would help him address a growing demand he still can’t quite meet.

During negotiations, Mark Cuban worries about Richardson’s planned expansion into stores; he thinks that the online, limited drop model Richardson employs is key to his brand’s success, whereas retail availability would hinder that. Kevin O’Leary shares this worry, offering a $300,000 investment under the condition Richardson stays out of the retail market. Robert Herjavec, however, offers $300,000 for 25% of the company with no strings attached. Richardson tries to negotiate that percentage down to 20%, and while Herjavec initially declines, Richardson responds with a unique proposition: if Herjavec can sink a putt, they’ll agree to 25%, but if he misses they’ll shake on 20%. Herjavec’s golf ball comes just short of its target, earning Richardson $300,000 in exchange for 20% of Bad Birdie.