Dingman to the rescue

Newport Beach is home to quite a number of big names within the sports industry. Kobe Bryant lives here, as does sports agent Scott Boras.

There is also an up-and-comer, working behind the scenes, from Newport Beach.

When you hear the name Chris Dingman, you don’t think of sports, but for several athletes he’s been a life-saver, a welcomed relief, the ultimate problem solver. Athletes like Bobby Abreu, Chris Pronger, Steve Smith and even Chad Ochocinco know Dingman and the Newport Beach resident hopes more will come to know him each day, better yet after each trade or big free-agent signing in a sport.

Dingman is in charge of The Dingman Group, a company that specializes in relocating star athletes and those within the pro sports world.

He’s splashed his company’s name all over the Internet, Dingman’s on Twitter, Facebook and amid the blogosphere. Four years into the project, he wants to keep building, and continue to help athletes.

“I love it,” Dingman said. “It’s so much fun. I can’t explain how passionate I am about it. I pinch myself every day. I’m providing an honest service that these people are in need of. I can’t explain how much I love what I do.”

Dingman’s energy doesn’t come off as fake. How can it be? As a 31-year-old he’s sure to use his youth to his advantage, and as a former athlete, albeit amateur, he also knows how to connect with his clients.

In the end, he just wants to provide the best for them. And he does it for free.

Yes, The Dingman Group makes money from real estate or other company referrals, but there are times when those don’t produce income. He’s still going to work because he knows helping could lead to another client.

Last year, before the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were reaping the rewards of Abreu, Dingman was in the background, helping the former Yankees slugger leave New York and move to Orange County.

Dingman had to help find someone to purchase Abreu’s former home, then secure a place for his client to be closer to the Angels. There was also organizing the big move and helping Abreu and his family be worry-free of any stress that can come from such a relocation.

Turns out, a realtor involved in the Abreu move referred Dingman when Pronger needed help, leaving the Anaheim Ducks for the Philadelphia Flyers. Dingman’s still at work, trying to help sell Pronger’s former property at Shady Canyon.

Dingman hesitated to say the dollar amount he averages from each client transaction, but with all the movement within sports, it’s safe to say his business is thriving.

“We are doing well,” Dingman said. “This kind of world, pro sports, is mostly immune to a point [with regard to the down economy]. Sometimes, we will get more leases or rentals rather than sales for homes. The money is not the same. But at the end of the day, my sole purpose is to provide the relocation and make it so that it is seamless so the athlete and family can concentrate on what’s important. We are willing to sacrifice the dollars for happiness and referrals.”

So far, so good.

A short testimonial from Cesar Izturis of the Baltimore Orioles can be found on The Dingman Group web site.

“Thanks for securing our home for us. The home, neighborhood and privacy is exactly what we’re looking for.”

Dingman is also pleased with the results, but he knows there are competitors providing the same type of services for the pros too. Some have been at it longer than The Dingman Group. Others are connected strong within the real estate industry nationwide.

“I didn’t know they existed when I started with the idea,” Dingman said. “At this point, yeah other people are doing it. It’s a healthy competition. It’s something that I know that somebody else is doing. So it just fuels the fire to keep me going.”

Dingman’s competitive fire comes from his playing days in soccer and football.

In 1998 and ’99 he played football at Santa Monica College along with Smith, now with the Carolina Panthers, and the Bengals’ Ochocinco, who was then Chad Johnson. Dingman, originally from the Bay Area, was also a receiver, so he didn’t play much.

“I only got in for three-receiver sets,” said Dingman, who trades tweets with Ochocinco on Twitter every once in a while.

After Santa Monica, Dingman played for a year at Cal Lutheran, where he earned his degree in marketing communication. Later he came up with the idea that spawned The Dingman Group.

“Athletics has been a huge part of my life,” Dingman said. “It was everything for me growing up. It just really kept me busy, I played college football and soccer. I had an opportunity to play with some who are in the NFL and I really saw a need for athletes and their families for help during what could be a stressful time.”

Dingman just wants the athletes to leave their problems to him. He’ll solve them.