In 2012, a New Jersey woman named Tania Patruno pitched her protein-infused energy drink, PRO-NRG, on Shark Tank. She brought NFL player Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers) with her to vouch for the drink and to wow the sharks. It worked. They made a deal with Daymond John — $250k for 30 percent – with a contingency that Pro NRG seal a deal with BADDASS, a supplement company that John had invested in. According to BevNet, PRO-NRG did partner up with BADDASS and got a distribution deal with Walgreens.
Months after the Shark Tank appearance, one of the co-creators of the PRO-NRG, Joshua Fenwich, sued his former business partners and spokesperson Brandon Jacobs “with a trademark and breach of contract suit.” Fenwich claimed he was “unfairly forced out of the company.” In 2014, Fenwich’s suit was dismissed by a New Jersey federal judge. Today, the PRO-NRG website is active but PRO-NRG has stopped using social media to promote the product. [27 Favorite Shark Tank Products available now.]
