Triple ThreatTackling franchising in the sports tournament field.

Dave King, president and CEO of Fort Collins, Colorado'sTriple Crown Sports Inc., admits his company had selfishbeginnings. From 1982 to 1987, Dave and his wife, Annette, both 42,ran a series of softball tournaments in Colorado. Working full timefor an insurance company at the time, Dave had no long-term visionfor the series.

But in 1987, Dave quit his job in favor of making sports afull-time business. Ten years later, the Kings decided to franchisetheir amateur sports marketing and production business.