Smooth Operator: Jason Taylor Signs Deal With Juiceblendz

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor has agreed to a partnership with Florida-based Juiceblendz that will see him become President of Franchise Development as well as spokesperson for the company, which serves all-natural smoothies. As part of his deal, Taylor will appear in commercials and make personal appearances for the business. He also bought an equity stake in the company, though CEO Adam Ogden would not disclose what percentage that is. There currently are four Juiceblendz locations in South Florida, with plans to open at least six more in the area by the end of the year. Ogden said, “He’s going to help us expand the brand throughout Florida. It’s going to give us the opportunity to reach more customers and potential franchisees.” In addition to Juiceblendz, Taylor has deals with Brand Jordan, Cadillac, Enlyten SportsStrips and McArthur Dairy Milk (Rick Ellington, THE DAILY).

EXPANDING HIS HORIZONS: In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay reported Taylor is looking at opportunities in hopes of building his holding company, Ninety 9 Group, “into a diverse portfolio of consumer business investments.” He has invested in Florida-based Bioheart, which is developing an “alternative to surgery to replace scar tissue in heart patients,” and he also oversees a charter company for his yacht. He spent three days last year in the NFL’s Business Management & Entrepreneurial Program at Northwestern Univ.’s Kellogg School of Management “learning to evaluate franchise opportunities.” Taylor’s eponymous foundation has raised around $2M for children’s charities since ’04. He is also co-producing a reality show for Fox about “athletes confronting their fears” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/26).