Texas Sports Infrastructure Design Firm: $810K Annual Profit Business for Sale

The Hidden Foundation Behind Every Athletic Victory
Every touchdown, home run, and championship goal begins long before the first player steps onto the field. Behind every successful athletic venue lies the precise science of sports infrastructure design—a specialized field where the difference between proper drainage and a very expensive mud pit can make or break a multi-million-dollar facility.
A Texas-based sports infrastructure design firm, currently generating $810,000
in annual profits on $1.1 million
in revenue, has just entered the market for acquisition. This specialized consultancy represents a unique opportunity in the rapidly growing sports facility design industry, offering exceptional margins and significant growth potential for the right buyer.
Understanding the Sports Infrastructure Design Industry
The Sports & Athletic Field Construction industry in the United States is a robust $4.2 billion
market, with significant growth expected as infrastructure investments accelerate. This firm operates at the most profitable intersection of this market.
The Science Behind Athletic Field Design
This consultancy focuses on the intricate technical elements that ensure peak performance and longevity for athletic facilities, commanding premium fees for its expertise:
- Subsurface Drainage Systems: Engineering advanced water management solutions to prevent field flooding and ensure all-weather playability.
- Soil Stabilization & Technology: Designing engineered soil compositions and root zones for the specific compaction and performance requirements of different sports.
- Synthetic Turf Specifications: Providing independent, expert analysis of synthetic turf systems to optimize for performance, safety, and durability.
The Genius of the Design-Only Business Model
While the construction industry faces razor-thin margins due to weather, material costs, and intense competition, this firm thrives by focusing exclusively on high-value design. When an organization invests millions in a new facility, they prioritize getting the engineering right the first time.
The Design Premium Advantage
This “get it right” mentality creates a significant pricing premium for specialized expertise. Key advantages of this asset-light model include:
- Higher Margins:
72%
profit margins, compared to typical construction margins of5-15%
. - Lower Overhead: Minimal equipment, inventory, or large workforce costs.
- Reduced Liability: Liability is focused on design expertise, not the high-risk construction phase.
- Scalable Expertise: As a knowledge-based business, the model is relocatable and primed for geographic expansion.
- Recurring Relationships: A track record of excellence creates a strong pipeline of repeat clients and referrals from architects and schools.
Financial Performance and Valuation
With $810,000
in earnings on $1.1 million
in revenue, the consultancy’s financial efficiency is remarkable.
- Profit Margin:
72%
SDE (Seller’s Discretionary Earnings) Margin. - Revenue Per Employee: Extremely high due to the specialized, high-value nature of the work.
The business is listed at 2.6x
earnings, a valuation that reflects both the premier profitability and the specific transition requirements of a specialized, owner-operated firm.
Investment Challenges and Opportunities
The Owner-Dependency Challenge
The firm is built around the owner’s extraordinary individual expertise, industry relationships, and reputation. This structure is the source of its impressive profitability but also presents the primary transition challenge. A successful acquisition hinges on a comprehensive knowledge and relationship transfer, which the seller is committed to facilitating.
Required Buyer Qualifications
This is not a passive investment. A successful new owner must have the professional credentials to lead the firm’s technical work.
- Essential: An architecture or engineering background, preferably with a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Experience: A proven track record in sports facility design, site development, or a related civil engineering field.
- Skills: Strong business development and project management capabilities.
Growth Potential and Expansion
For a qualified buyer, this business offers several compelling avenues for growth:
- Geographic Expansion: Target new high-growth markets with increasing investment in educational and community sports.
- Service Line Expansion: Introduce adjacent services like facility maintenance planning, renovation consulting, or sustainability audits.
- Market Diversification: Apply the core design expertise to other sectors like large-scale municipal parks, corporate campuses, or outdoor event venues.
The Ideal Buyer and Next Steps
This opportunity represents a perfect fit for a licensed architect or civil engineer with entrepreneurial ambitions. It is also a strategic acquisition for an existing consultancy seeking to add a profitable sports infrastructure division.
For qualified buyers, the evaluation process will involve financial due diligence, a technical review of methodologies, and a detailed transition planning phase with the current owner.
Conclusion: Your Field of Dreams
This Texas sports infrastructure design firm is a chance to acquire a business in a specialized, high-margin industry with strong growth fundamentals. While it requires specific technical expertise, the combination of proven profitability and market demand creates a compelling investment thesis. For the right professional, this is an opportunity to shape where athletic dreams come true while building a highly profitable and fulfilling practice.