Court Grabbers shoe invention puts York man in national spotlight
Finally, Steve McLaughlin is truly on the verge of changing the way basketball and other sports are played.
This after years of testing shoes at gyms around York County ... and more than 35,000 miles of driving to clinics, camps and tournaments all over the country ... and spending more money than he cares to share on producing one invention model after another.
All because athletes constantly slip and slide on dusty courts, from peewee leagues to senior circuits, from basketball to racquetball to volleyball. McLaughlin's invention is a piece of equipment, anchored in the laces, that allows players to quickly wipe the bottom of their shoes clean.
Now, seven years after McLaughlin and his son, Seth, began creating their Court Grabbers shoe innovation, they're getting their big break.
They will make a Sunday evening appearance on the Steve Harvey-hosted "Funderdome" TV show (ABC, 9 p.m.) to compete for big money and even bigger exposure. The episode was taped last October and while the McLaughlins said they cannot reveal the outcome before it airs, they did talk positively and confidently about the experience.
Watch the video: Invention keeps athletes from slipping
Background: York man hits national audience with Court Grabbers shoe invention
The show had 4.4 million viewers on July 16, according to The Nielsen Company.
"They could give me five dollars and I hit the jackpot," said McLaughlin, 56, a mortgage consultant in Springettsbury Township. "I've got 15 minutes with Steve Harvey in prime time. You can't buy that. I win no matter what.
"My biggest hope is someone will see what we're doing and realize the potential of this ..."
McLaughlin began researching his invention after watching his son, now a senior-to-be at Central York, slide all over the basketball court in youth leagues. His goal became multi-pronged: Increase shoe traction to not only enhance performance and help decrease injuries, but also to deter players from constantly licking their hands and then rubbing their shoes.
"You might as well be licking the bathroom floor," McLaughlin said.
Of course, rubbing shoes with saliva and wiping feet on sideline "sticky mats" and wet towels provide only temporary help.
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McLaughlin's key was developing a product players could wear on the court and use whenever needed to combat the unending dust and dirt on courts.
The idea was the easy part.
He spent the past seven years altering the design (two-pieces anchored by the laces) and refining a traction gel. The McLaughlins became consumed with making their device smaller and lighter, more durable and more attractive.
While they've been selling Court Grabbers for the better part of four years, they've routinely pulled the product to make improvements.
Only now are they satisfied with all facets.
Meanwhile, the positive feedback has flowed from Amazon reviews to email, surveys and phone calls from all over the world. From the coach in London who ordered nine sets for his indoor Ultimate Frisbee team to the boy in Toronto who saved his allowance to buy a second Court Grabbers.
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Steve McLaughlin smiles and shakes his head when talking about the time spent making one small but critical change after another in what he hopes will be an industry breakthrough.
The next step is finding that big-money partner or investor to proceed with the nationwide marketing so crucial for success. Or maybe an established sporting goods or apparel company willing to buy his patent.
For now, at least, he's confident he's accomplished what he's set out to do.
Take it from Nick Santamaria, 17, a family friend who worked York Catholic's annual basketball camp recently.
He watched kids with high-priced new basketball shoes slip and slide all day long.
"They literally could not get a grip," Santamaria said.
"This," he said, looking down at the Court Grabbers he was wearing, "was a perfect idea."