AAU Basketball Cost Difference

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to figure out why some AAU organizations charge 3x more than others. I understand the baseline cost are the following: gym fees, tournament costs, and travel cost for coaches. What justifies the bigger fees? My only guess, some coaches are volunteer and others are paid?

[Anonymous]

All AAU coaches should be paid.

[Anonymous]

With volunteer coaches, there are only 2 costs that vary a lot: number of tournaments entered, and paying for coaches travel costs. The more the team travels, the higher the cost. Some teams basically subsidize other teams within a program too.

[Anonymous]

Some clubs have shoe companies under writing them and some host tournaments as fund raisers.

[Anonymous]

Same issue with swimming
Machine charges 3x what we paid with PAC. They would practice next to each other, no difference in the coaching.

[Anonymous]

Typically its the paid coaches...for instance in Montgomery County the Classics organization is 100% volunteer. The budget it public amongst the team and you split costs for gym and tournaments. Potomac Valley Thunder on the other hand is a for profit business (likely more so now that they are with the St James) and have paid coaches.

Many will say you get what you pay for but many times volunteer coaches are great but sometimes not so much.

Of course level of play and age is also a factor in making a decision as to playing at a higher profile club.

[Anonymous]

What do most organizations charge? Ours is $600 for the season with some added tournament charges here and there. Includes 3x/ week practices and games most weekends. I find that reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Potomac Valley Thunder was about $1000 per season back in 2021 with practice twice a week. Likely more now that they are with St James.

[Anonymous]

Seems like the well-known organizations are charging $900-$1200 for spring/summer, while others are around $300-$600. Are the coaches and practices vastly superior on the expensive AAU teams?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like the well-known organizations are charging $900-$1200 for spring/summer, while others are around $300-$600. Are the coaches and practices vastly superior on the expensive AAU teams?

On the girls side, we pay about $600 for spring summer and another $100 for fall/winter. Top team at one of the biggest clubs in the area.

[Anonymous]

Interesting - it seems the less expensive clubs are either lower tier volunteer run or top tier and shoe company sponsored.

The middle of the road competitive teams seem to be the most costly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like the well-known organizations are charging $900-$1200 for spring/summer, while others are around $300-$600. Are the coaches and practices vastly superior on the expensive AAU teams?

On the girls side, we pay about $600 for spring summer and another $100 for fall/winter. Top team at one of the biggest clubs in the area.

May I ask, which team is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like the well-known organizations are charging $900-$1200 for spring/summer, while others are around $300-$600. Are the coaches and practices vastly superior on the expensive AAU teams?

On the girls side, we pay about $600 for spring summer and another $100 for fall/winter. Top team at one of the biggest clubs in the area.

May I ask, which team is this?

Hurricanes

[Anonymous]

I am interested in signing my son up for AAU basketball.

Can you share your team or teams you know of in VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am interested in signing my son up for AAU basketball.

Can you share your team or teams you know of in VA?

Virginia cyclones