AAU Basketball orgs and team costs?

[Anonymous]

DS is trying out to move to a new year-round AAU team, 11-12U. He's only played for large and small non-profits/501(c)3s. For larger team, we paid a spring fee (under $700) for practice space and tournaments; dad coaches. On smaller team parents split costs of tournaments and low-cost, community-subsidized practice space. Both teams didn't play or practice much in fall or winter so cost-sharing fees off season were low. Coaches were volunteers.

We are trying to get a handle on HOW MUCH to budget if he switches teams and to understand the different cost models. We assume the for-profits use "professional" paid coaches and we would pay a monthly fee, varied based on other services (extra training, conditioning, dedicated gym space) provided. But we are also considering 2 teams run by trainer coaches, so we assume we would share costs and split fee for coaches' services.

Can anyone share the costs of their AAU basketball teams, either annually or by season? What other financial questions should we ask? We assume some for-profits require a signed annual contract vs current team only requires seasonal commitment to pay full fee. Our friends' son played with a Mom & Pop team last year but the team struggled due to some parents inability to pay therefore the burden fell on several other parents to pay for the tournaments and practice space in order to keep the team going for the season. We don't have deep pockets and don't qualify for financial aid.

Thanks for any info and insight you can share!! We don't feel comfortable asking financial questions until after tryouts and no info on websites.

For reference:
Non-profit / 501(c)3: Fairfax Stars, NOVA Suns. NOVA 94 Feet, DC Premier, CYA

For Profit / Training & Development: NOVA Cavaliers, Virginia Elite, Virginia Swarm, VA Playmakers? Bowie Falcons?

[Anonymous]

Does for profit vs non-profit really matter? Some of the non-profits you list are sponsored and play at higher levels where as some of the for profits you list are not sponsored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does for profit vs non-profit really matter? Some of the non-profits you list are sponsored and play at higher levels where as some of the for profits you list are not sponsored.

OP here. Good point but doesn't the sponsorship apply to subsidize the older HS teams, not the younger or grassroots? I don't know all the differences or distinctions between non-profit or for-profit except non-profits provide scholarships and for-profits have more paid staff and coaches (therefore I would expect to pay more). And, you are correct--higher level teams will also incur more tournament and travel costs. We just want to understand the various orgs and teams because we are hopefully making a longer-term decision as we find a better fit team and coach for DS. And he is in the fortunate position to be choosy.

[Anonymous]

Following. We want to learn more about the smaller teams that don’t have a big bench. And how long the teams usually stay together.

[Anonymous]

The Virginia Swarm is around $700 for spring season, I was told.

[Anonymous]

This is a lot of information for strangers to provide you on the inter webs.

Watch these teams play so you can see how your kid might fit into the team, how they handle subbing, and the coaching style. Then pick the ones you want to try out for, then find out which of their teams your kid will actually be on, and then practice schedules, tournament schedule, and the cost. I'd take what people tell you on here with a grain of salt. Even within the same organization, there might be different costs for different teams or even different players.

Basketball teams don't publish a lot of information online. It is annoying and hard to research.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you post what you paid and list the names of the teams? You are more likely to get useful info if you give up useful info. What teams has your son played for and what did they charge? “Below 700” is not that helpful without even the name of the team.

[Anonymous]

Whatever your dues, be prepared to pay to get spectators into tournaments. That adds up quickly! It has been $10 a head lately, tho sometimes we see $5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is trying out to move to a new year-round AAU team, 11-12U. He's only played for large and small non-profits/501(c)3s. For larger team, we paid a spring fee (under $700) for practice space and tournaments; dad coaches. On smaller team parents split costs of tournaments and low-cost, community-subsidized practice space. Both teams didn't play or practice much in fall or winter so cost-sharing fees off season were low. Coaches were volunteers.

We are trying to get a handle on HOW MUCH to budget if he switches teams and to understand the different cost models. We assume the for-profits use "professional" paid coaches and we would pay a monthly fee, varied based on other services (extra training, conditioning, dedicated gym space) provided. But we are also considering 2 teams run by trainer coaches, so we assume we would share costs and split fee for coaches' services.

Can anyone share the costs of their AAU basketball teams, either annually or by season? What other financial questions should we ask? We assume some for-profits require a signed annual contract vs current team only requires seasonal commitment to pay full fee. Our friends' son played with a Mom & Pop team last year but the team struggled due to some parents inability to pay therefore the burden fell on several other parents to pay for the tournaments and practice space in order to keep the team going for the season. We don't have deep pockets and don't qualify for financial aid.

Thanks for any info and insight you can share!! We don't feel comfortable asking financial questions until after tryouts and no info on websites.

For reference:
Non-profit / 501(c)3: Fairfax Stars, NOVA Suns. NOVA 94 Feet, DC Premier, CYA

For Profit / Training & Development: NOVA Cavaliers, Virginia Elite, Virginia Swarm, VA Playmakers? Bowie Falcons?

Nova94 nonprofit? I don’t think so

[Anonymous]

What teams did your son play on and what did they cost? thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you post what you paid and list the names of the teams? You are more likely to get useful info if you give up useful info. What teams has your son played for and what did they charge? “Below 700” is not that helpful without even the name of the team.

OP again. Team is NOVA94 Feet. We paid a few installments, cannot locate all receipts, but about $700 plus uniform fees. Likely more this year as covid restrictions easing and more tournaments scheduled.

in FAQs - Costs for Nova 94 Feet elementary and middle school age teams are about $850 for Orange teams and $700 for Blue Teams, though these costs may vary a bit by team, and from year to year. High School age teams may have higher costs since they play in exposure events that have a higher entry fee. Total costs for HS teams can range from $800-$1300. However, some HS teams will receive free gear and cost reduction under our sponsorship with Adidas. We generally allow fees to be paid in installments, however, once a player accepts a spot on a team they commit to paying all fees for the team even if they leave the team prior to the fee being due.

https://nova94feet.com/faq/#1545051187217-d86ab2ff-7557

We appreciated the upfront estimates from NOVA94. Fairfax Stars did not disclose except to say we would pay a base cost and the rest would depend on local and out of town tournaments decided upon by coach with input from team.

We will make a best fit decision for DS but for summer family budgeting (vacations, camps) we need to know how much to set aside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is trying out to move to a new year-round AAU team, 11-12U. He's only played for large and small non-profits/501(c)3s. For larger team, we paid a spring fee (under $700) for practice space and tournaments; dad coaches. On smaller team parents split costs of tournaments and low-cost, community-subsidized practice space. Both teams didn't play or practice much in fall or winter so cost-sharing fees off season were low. Coaches were volunteers.

We are trying to get a handle on HOW MUCH to budget if he switches teams and to understand the different cost models. We assume the for-profits use "professional" paid coaches and we would pay a monthly fee, varied based on other services (extra training, conditioning, dedicated gym space) provided. But we are also considering 2 teams run by trainer coaches, so we assume we would share costs and split fee for coaches' services.

Can anyone share the costs of their AAU basketball teams, either annually or by season? What other financial questions should we ask? We assume some for-profits require a signed annual contract vs current team only requires seasonal commitment to pay full fee. Our friends' son played with a Mom & Pop team last year but the team struggled due to some parents inability to pay therefore the burden fell on several other parents to pay for the tournaments and practice space in order to keep the team going for the season. We don't have deep pockets and don't qualify for financial aid.

Thanks for any info and insight you can share!! We don't feel comfortable asking financial questions until after tryouts and no info on websites.

For reference:
Non-profit / 501(c)3: Fairfax Stars, NOVA Suns. NOVA 94 Feet, DC Premier, CYA

For Profit / Training & Development: NOVA Cavaliers, Virginia Elite, Virginia Swarm, VA Playmakers? Bowie Falcons?

Nova94 nonprofit? I don’t think so

https://www.open990.org/org/300713021/nova-94-feet-inc/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you post what you paid and list the names of the teams? You are more likely to get useful info if you give up useful info. What teams has your son played for and what did they charge? “Below 700” is not that helpful without even the name of the team.

OP again. Team is NOVA94 Feet. We paid a few installments, cannot locate all receipts, but about $700 plus uniform fees. Likely more this year as covid restrictions easing and more tournaments scheduled.

in FAQs - Costs for Nova 94 Feet elementary and middle school age teams are about $850 for Orange teams and $700 for Blue Teams, though these costs may vary a bit by team, and from year to year. High School age teams may have higher costs since they play in exposure events that have a higher entry fee. Total costs for HS teams can range from $800-$1300. However, some HS teams will receive free gear and cost reduction under our sponsorship with Adidas. We generally allow fees to be paid in installments, however, once a player accepts a spot on a team they commit to paying all fees for the team even if they leave the team prior to the fee being due.

https://nova94feet.com/faq/#1545051187217-d86ab2ff-7557

We appreciated the upfront estimates from NOVA94. Fairfax Stars did not disclose except to say we would pay a base cost and the rest would depend on local and out of town tournaments decided upon by coach with input from team.

We will make a best fit decision for DS but for summer family budgeting (vacations, camps) we need to know how much to set aside.

You said your son has played on two different teams, would you mind sharing the cost for the other one he played on? There are only a few teams around here. We have ruled out Swarm and Nova94 based on the cost, and another team for being too sketchy. CYA AAU is being evasive in team costs.

[Anonymous]

Which team was sketchy? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you post what you paid and list the names of the teams? You are more likely to get useful info if you give up useful info. What teams has your son played for and what did they charge? “Below 700” is not that helpful without even the name of the team.

OP again. Team is NOVA94 Feet. We paid a few installments, cannot locate all receipts, but about $700 plus uniform fees. Likely more this year as covid restrictions easing and more tournaments scheduled.

in FAQs - Costs for Nova 94 Feet elementary and middle school age teams are about $850 for Orange teams and $700 for Blue Teams, though these costs may vary a bit by team, and from year to year. High School age teams may have higher costs since they play in exposure events that have a higher entry fee. Total costs for HS teams can range from $800-$1300. However, some HS teams will receive free gear and cost reduction under our sponsorship with Adidas. We generally allow fees to be paid in installments, however, once a player accepts a spot on a team they commit to paying all fees for the team even if they leave the team prior to the fee being due.

https://nova94feet.com/faq/#1545051187217-d86ab2ff-7557

We appreciated the upfront estimates from NOVA94. Fairfax Stars did not disclose except to say we would pay a base cost and the rest would depend on local and out of town tournaments decided upon by coach with input from team.

We will make a best fit decision for DS but for summer family budgeting (vacations, camps) we need to know how much to set aside.

You said your son has played on two different teams, would you mind sharing the cost for the other one he played on? There are only a few teams around here. We have ruled out Swarm and Nova94 based on the cost, and another team for being too sketchy. CYA AAU is being evasive in team costs.

They're being evasive because they don't know. $700/season is about the cost.