Meet Our Team
We Love Sports!
My Backyard Sports was founded with the belief that many homeowners want a higher end, more fulfilling home sports experience but did not realize that it was truly available to them. My Backyard Sports is leading and fulfilling this need. Some homeowners assume the price is out of reach. At MBS we bring the Sports Stadium experience to your backyard that meets your specific needs and budget.
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Michael Kraner FounderMichael is an avid sports participant and fan and believes many of the greatest lessons in life are learned ‘On the Court and Between the Lines.’ Most of these courts were in Brooklyn, NY, his hometown and Bergen County, NJ where he resides with his family.
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Debbi Rapaport Co-Founder
Debbi is both entrepreneurial in spirit and in practice, having started two other companies in addition to being co-founder of My Backyard Sports with her husband Michael. Debbi has a graduate degree in psychology from Harvard University and lends her insight on marketing and consumer behavior. As a licensed real estate agent, she also sees an increased positive impact of My Backyard Sports installations at residential homes on their market value at the time of resale.
We recently had the pleasure of working with My Backyard Sports to customize our courtyard, and we couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional, and much of that is thanks to Jonathan, who truly went above and beyond to ensure every detail was perfect.Jonathan's commitment to customer service stood out from the start. He took the time to understand our vision and offered thoughtful suggestions that enhanced our original ideas. His dedication was evident in every step of the process, from the initial consultation to the final installation. Whenever we had questions or needed adjustments, Jonathan was always available, responsive, and genuinely interested in making sure we were satisfied.The quality of the work exceeded our expectations. The custom courtyard not only looks fantastic but is also built to last. It's now a beautiful, functional space that we enjoy every day. The craftsmanship and attention to detail really show, and we couldn't have asked for a better result.We highly recommend My Backyard Sports, and especially Jonathan, for anyone looking to create a custom sports or recreational space. The experience was seamless, and the outcome speaks for itself.Thank you, Jonathan, for your outstanding service and for making our vision a reality!
Madeline Martineau
00:14 18 Oct 24
I had a basketball court installed by **My Backyard Sports** during the height of the pandemic, and it quickly became a centerpiece for outdoor fun and activity. Recently, I noticed the tiles were fading, and I reached out to them for assistance. **My Backyard Sports** immediately stepped in, submitted a claim with the manufacturer, and handled everything on my behalf. It turned out there was a known issue with the materials, and thanks to their prompt action, the manufacturer stood by their product and I received a complete replacement for the court.I am incredibly grateful to **My Backyard Sports** for their dedication, professionalism, and exceptional customer service. They took the lead on this issue from start to finish, keeping me informed every step of the way, and ensuring the problem was resolved to my satisfaction. Their support and commitment to their customers are truly top-notch. If you're considering any type of sports installation, I can't recommend them highly enough!
Erez Shimoni
12:42 10 Sep 24
My experience with the company was excellent! From sales to completion of the project, Mike, Jacob and Victor were professional, responsive, and knowledgeable. The court is amazing! High quality, durable, and beautiful.
Adnan Danish
11:08 17 Aug 24
I had an exceptional experience with Michael Kraner and the entire My Backyard Sports team, who built a beautiful basketball court for me. Michael visited my house several times to discuss the process, provide recommendations, and suggest the best court size, orientation, and hoop placement. Their expertise was evident as they even connected me with another customer to test out a similar court.Building my court was no small feat, given the 4ft dip/hill in my yard. They expertly constructed a retaining wall and collaborated with me to find solutions to prevent the ball from going down the hill. Their recommendation and installation of a pitch-back net and behind-the-hoop netting were perfect solutions.After installation, I encountered an issue due to the weather, but their response was swift and efficient. They promptly came out to fix it without any hassle. The team at My Backyard Sports is fantastic, and I highly recommend them to anyone considering building a basketball court.
David Gilboa
20:00 14 Jun 24
I used My Backyard Sports for a basketball court project at work. The experience was good all around. My main point of contact was Jonathan who was helpful throughout the entire process. The crews that worked on site were respectful of the park and communicated with me well during the construction. I would recommend for future court projects.
Robert Cowper
17:21 05 Dec 23
Joe Neuman
20:56 24 Sep 23
There isn't a better company out there. They work with heart and have the human element. They made something so special to showcase our sons epilepsy condition and his foundation I was moved beyond words. Use this company for anything sports related ! You will not be disappointed!! Thank you so very much MBYS !
William Ostroski
20:07 18 Aug 23
These guys are great. They do what they say and they get it done. Very trustworthy.
Bobby Delmonico
13:54 08 Aug 23
My Backyard Sports just completed the lining of my court! It looks fantastic. A gift to my boys (1 of which is playing college hoops this year). We had numerous weather challenges in NJ this summer but Michael and Deb worked through to get the job done- in top notch fashion. I considered doing myself but after watching the experts- there is no way I could have achieved the pinpoint accuracy of the measurements, the precision taping and high quality painting. I feel like I have a professional court in my backyard. I am really amazed at how fantastic my court looks. I would highly recommend My Backyard Sports for this service.
Edward Leskauskas Sr.
13:30 23 Jul 23
Just had my new hoop put up this morning after the team took my old one down and found a better spot for my new one. It’s amazing. I love it and my kids are so excited. I’ve played high level for many years throughout school and after and it’s the best hoop I’ve played on including all the arenas I’ve played in. Highly recommended. Cleaned up and took away my old one and even cut some branches away for my new one to make it even better and play betterThanks to Michael , Alex and the entire team internally and techs.
Roger
21:15 08 Jul 23
I talked to Mike about some options with a court and he was amazing and very knowledgeable about different courts and sports.
Lee Blatz
15:52 08 Jul 23
Love my In-Ground Hoop! 2 years and counting. Just recently spoke to the owner regarding adding a second hoop!
Adam Parnes
18:33 27 Apr 23
The team at my backyard sports were amazing! They over delivered at every stage and we are loving our backyard Court and basket!!!
Stephanie Cupps
13:58 21 Apr 23
My Backyard Sports home office and their onsite crew led by Tyler were the utmost professionals. Easy to work with, no problem they couldn’t solve, excellent communication, super positive, very knowledgeable, arrived on time and worked non-stop, very artful and prideful in their work and did an excellent job. Tyler was fantastic as the lead from start to finish. Coming from 20 years in high end customer service and seeing such a lack of it nowadays and all the excuses of why it is, it was so refreshing to witness. Your company made my kids’ dream come true! Thank you!
Melissa Heuss
23:34 27 Oct 22
The people at my backyard sports are in a world of their own when it comes to professionalism. Working with Jonathon was an absolute pleasure. Unlike a standard contractor, who can only build what you tell them, this company truly understands what a basketball court is about. They were extremely transparent on all levels, and thought about everything that a high functioning basketball court needs. From proper dimensions on the court, hoop, and grading everything was taken in to account. The actual construction process was painless as they handled everything, and kept us informed every time a new delivery/process was taking place. Our Half court came out exactly how they drew it up, and is being enjoyed immensely by many. compliments were given in spades. If you are looking to build a basketball court, I highly recommend you reach out to My Backyard Sports
Raphael Bondi
02:35 14 Sep 22
The team from My Backyard Sports was excellent. The personalized planning I received from Michael Kraner and his team was outstanding. I recently underwent a project to lengthen my driveway, increase the height of my retaining wall and install a full-sized, adjustable basketball hoop. I included the MBS team in the planning process of the wall and could not have been happier with their quality, professionalism, responsiveness and ingenuity in getting a difficult install completed. Their focus on quality and safety regarding the overhang and install behind a five foot high wall was as if they were doing it for the safety of their own children. The personal touches were well received by my family. I would (and have) recommend their team to anyone looking to create the court they have always envisioned.
Mike O'Dowd
19:59 01 Jul 22
We are very happy with our court. From sales rep J. Moscou to installers, to office personnel, they were professionals all the way. Ease of ordering and following the process was key. Payments process easy too. Heck, we even got a call from the CEO checking in to make sure we were satisfied with the court - the night before he was to have some major surgery! Happy clients, and we would highly recommend them to all.
Edward Keating
13:59 23 May 22
Michael and his team did an excellent job installing 2 side fold wall mounts basketball hoops in a timely manner. I would definitely recommend other people use this company for hoop installations. Their pricing was fair and they were honest and transparent about scheduling. I would definitely use them again.
Gabe Davidson
17:02 11 Jan 22
I am beyond happy with my 6 x 6 Pole pad. I just got it and it’s exactly what I was wanting. The only reason it’s not on my pole right now is because it’s freezing outside but I’m looking forward to putting it on and proud to have it for whenever kids and other adults are at my house playing basketball.
Skylar Kennedy
17:16 07 Jan 22
Mike and team did a great job installing a basketball hoop in our driveway!!! If you are looking for a sports solution in your driveway, yard or house….look no further. These guys are the best around!!
Jason Adel
15:26 24 Dec 21
What a fantastic experience. The team exceeded all of my expectations! They were able to meet my timeline for installation and were true professionals. My daughter couldn’t have been happier to see her own personalized hoop.
John Wagner
13:32 23 Dec 21
Michael and the team did an amazing job! Professional, on-time, and great follow up to make sure we are satisfied. They worked through some difficult challenges since this was the biggest court they ever built. 100% satisfied customer!
Bob Hazard
19:59 12 Oct 21
Thank you!
Jung Hahm
16:36 11 Oct 21
There is so much I want to say about my experience with Jonathan at My Backyard Sports. It was an absolute pleasure to work with someone who really cares and listens in depth about the unique details of ones court.Jonathan has exception customer service relation. Thank you for your time, your dedication, and attention to details. Thank you for an amazing basketball court for our family. We love it!!I highly recommend this company!
Karina Brown
16:21 08 Oct 21
Micheal, Jonathan, Gustavo and the rest of the crew : thank you !I just had a chance to play basketball with my son last night on the new Versa Court you built for us , I not only enjoyed myself , I was very impressed with the quality !Would not hesitate recommend you to anybody .Well done job , thank you very much !
Ohad Barnea
02:47 09 Sep 21
We are fortunate to have an indoor basketball court and we wanted the floors resurfaced and lines painted blue for the key, foul line and a half court design. I have grown skeptical of all contractors ie work for hire for home renovation projects given past experiences but I have to say Michael and his team were amazing and definitely in the top 1% of experiences. I recommend him without hesitation. He came in with an extremely fair quote and his execution was so professional - Michael even followed up a few weeks later to see if any issues came up and remembered my son's name to ask if he was loving it - Michael truly has a passion for his work and its evident in the work product.
David Birnbaum
01:32 28 Jun 21
From our initial conversation to the last install detail, Michael and his team were beyond informative, honest and professional. Michael was very patient in explaining the different hoop options and helping us to make the best decision for our needs. Our basketball hoop install with the lines is definitely high quality. The entire process was seamless and easy. They worked around our personal schedule for when we preferred to have it installed and not their own timeline. The communication about their timing and arrival was impeccable. Highly recommend My Backyard Sports. You won’t be disappointed by this professional and courtesy team.
Danielle Devincenzo
00:11 06 Jun 21
Graham did an awesome job and my boys are so excited to finally have lines on the court!
Keri Russell
00:28 28 Apr 21
This is a great company if you are interested in purchasing a basketball set from them. The guys were on time, professional and cleaned up. No mess was left behind. The quality of the basketball pole set was fantastic. I played ball when I was younger and it’s great to play with family and friends making memories. Highly recommend them.
Christine Shalayda
17:46 27 Apr 21
Amazing company from start to finish. Mike was a pleasure right from the start. Honest, informative and professional. The hoop is amazing . Debbi and Devin were polite and helpful the whole way . I could go on and on. I have been playing and coaching basketball for over 40yrs. If you want quality this is the company to work with. Can’t wait for my court to be painted in a few weeks !!! Thank you so much, my kids love it!! Danny Alcott.
Jayda Alcott
22:28 31 Mar 21
Mike and his team were wonderful. The product and service is remarkable. We love our hoop and couldn’t have asked for a better company to transform our driveway.
Uzair Baig
22:07 16 Mar 21
Michael and his team put in a basketball hoop and high school key and three point line. They were outstanding to work with, very professional and the quality of their products is excellent. We could not be happier with the work they did.
Chuck Torres
16:55 14 Mar 21
We purchased a Goalrilla basketball backboard and rim from a sporting goods chain. After talking with the recommended installation company from the sporting goods chain we reached out to My Backyard Sports. We were not happy with the big chain service promise. Michael was amazing and shared with us so many details around the hoop installation process from the cement pouring to the backboard hanging. The gentlemen that did the installation were fast, cleaned up perfectly and installed the equipment without a flaw. It's been more than a year and the install is as good as day one, our kids use it almost everyday. I would without a doubt recommend My Backyard Sports for any sports related installation.
Michael Bekiarian
16:33 12 Mar 21
Very happy with My Backyard Sports. My three boys love the basketball hoop. Michael and his team were professional and responsive. Thank you My Backyard Sports.
Todd Mitchell
16:00 08 Mar 21
We reached out to MICHAEL to build this hoop for the kids during a pandemic not only did he deliver the product on time but he also delivered memories that will last forever highly recommend using Michael and his company
Mike Liloia
23:33 20 Feb 21
I purchased a basketball hoop for me and my 9 year old son in the spring and was a great purchase. I am able to practice with my son at 9 feet for his age and 10 feet for different leagues. I coach my sons team and it helps me work on good drills that will really help the kids get better. My son has friends come over and play pickup games which keeps them away from screens. I highly recommend this company from quality of product and came and did installation on date they said. Will be able to have a lot of fun for years and years.
willis schouten
15:52 01 Feb 21
Michael and the team at My Backyard Sports did a tremendous job recommending and installing our basketball hoop at our home. The personalized and customized service, quality and affordable products, attention to detail and the magical, signature big red bow made this experience wonderful. I highly recommend My Backyard Sports for any of your outdoor athletic court needs!
Scott Saperstein
22:12 27 Jan 21
Great hoop great service. Having it installed on our driveway helped my son get into his high school team. Thank you!
Sas Shalom
20:24 27 Jan 21
Really the BEST company to work with! Reliable, professional, friendly and easy to work with. We love our basketball court, pickle ball court and hoop. It all came out exactly as we expected it to. Don’t go anywhere else!
shari Alter
15:14 25 Jan 21
Mike and his team are a pleasure to work with. They built our two boys an amazing backyard Ultrabase hockey rink this summer (which has now been adapted to an ice rink). Mike is super attentive and responsive. The team built the rink with great care and quality. They are perfectionists and no detail was spared. The cherry on top of the sundae was customized decals for the dasher boards which put a big smile on the kids’ faces. We recommend MBS without reservation.
David Katz
00:57 25 Jan 21
We are very satisfied with the basketball court and My Backyard Sports were a pleasure to work with.
MAH
23:11 19 Jan 21
This is a Company that cares about the quality of the product, their service and your happiness with the end result. Michael and team were on top of this from my first call and 2 years later still checks up periodically if things are well and we are happy with the hoop and court.
Akiva Distenfeld
15:30 19 Jan 21
Great quality basketball hoop. Very knowledgeable staff!
Billy McMahon
15:20 19 Jan 21
I highly recommend Backyard Sports. Responsive, professional and polite. They really did a great job on our basketball hoop installation.
John Dabney
23:08 16 Jan 21
Mike and his team are absolute rock stars. From the first call, to follow up, customization, installation... everything! You can’t go wrong with them!
Ismael Valenzuela
17:23 16 Jan 21
I am a father of 2 very athletic boys and am fortunate that they have never been the type of kids to choose a video game controller over playing ball outside. The Covid pandemic hit our household hard when organized youth sports were shut down for months and after cancelling a few planned family vacations, my wife and I decided to put the money into an outdoor basketball court, where we knew the ROI would be immediate and lasting for years to come. We could not have been more right!!! There is not a day where it’s not being used... and even better... we get to spend more time with the boys since friends will come from all over to shoot around, play pick up games, and play H-O-R-S-E.Our salesman Jonathan was professional, knowledgeable and extremely helpful throughout but what set My Backyard Sports apart from the other companies we had contacted was when Michael, the owner, personally reached out to answer any questions we had... and he stayed in contact throughout the entire project! That level of caring and involvement is not common in today’s cookie-cutter world of rushed jobs and cutting corners. I would highly recommend My Backyard Sports to anyone considering this type of investment for their families to enjoy! Thanks Jonathan and Michael... you guys absolutely ROCK!
Jason Russo
21:57 14 Jan 21
Dean Gentle
22:22 11 Jan 21
Five stars are not enough to give to Michael and the gang at My Backyard Sports. I was impressed from my first conversation with Michael to watching our hoop be installed by members of a team that truly love and take pride in what they do. Despite the pandemic and adverse weather conditions, the team showed up on Christmas Eve to make sure our new hoop was great Christmas surprise! I would recommend My Backyard Sports to anyone looking for a quality job!
Al Ryan
01:35 01 Jan 21
Wow. Called several installers for my new hoop. The boys at mybackyardsports.com called me straight away. Quick appropriate quote on phone. Quick follow up with install process. Quality - outstanding. You know when you get lucky online - then feel so fortunate and well taken care of? That’s the deal here.Thanks guys! I’d give you 6* if it allowed!
Paul Essner
17:01 04 Dec 20
Victor and team have great ideas to to fit most budgets.
George Zacieracha
17:17 09 Nov 20
