Are AAU open tryouts just a money making scam?

[Anonymous]

If there are returning players and/or specific players invited to try out, then aren’t the open tryouts just a way to make money off registration fees? Why hold a tryout if you already have your players?

[Anonymous]

Sometimes they need a specific kind of player but it is mainly a money grab.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there are returning players and/or specific players invited to try out, then aren’t the open tryouts just a way to make money off registration fees? Why hold a tryout if you already have your players?

I think they are more important in the younger age groups, but the tryouts were good clinics. Our team was genuinely looking to pick up players due to seasonal attrition. Our club also has development teams and programs, so it is just a matter of placing people at a level and getting them enough skills so they can be on one of the teams.

Tryouts are a nice way to get an assessment where you can see where your player is stacking up skills wise. It also a way for preparing for some point in the future when you will have to try out for school team with harder cuts. eg good life skills

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there are returning players and/or specific players invited to try out, then aren’t the open tryouts just a way to make money off registration fees? Why hold a tryout if you already have your players?

typically yes. in the future reach out to the coach and ask how many open spots they have and what positions they need to fill

[Anonymous]

I can only speak from 4th-6th grade non-profit AAU organizational level. It's not a money scam. Most team have an A,B, and maybe C team. The A-team usually travel to a few overnight tournaments that will be pricey. The B and C teams usually stay local and may have one overnight tournament. Admin fees are usually between $200-400 and $200-300 for tournament costs for spring season.

Spectator fees can be pricey $25-60 for a two day pass per parent. Hotel stays will cost you $500 per weekend. To me, that's a scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from 4th-6th grade non-profit AAU organizational level. It's not a money scam. Most team have an A,B, and maybe C team. The A-team usually travel to a few overnight tournaments that will be pricey. The B and C teams usually stay local and may have one overnight tournament. Admin fees are usually between $200-400 and $200-300 for tournament costs for spring season.

Spectator fees can be pricey $25-60 for a two day pass per parent. Hotel stays will cost you $500 per weekend. To me, that's a scam.

Sorry, I didn't answer the question at all, went off on a tangent. As far as tryouts, the price is anywhere from $0 - $45 for a two days tryout of 2 hours each. From my perspective, that's 4 hours of basketball time at $10/hour. I'm ok with that. If you are coming from recreation level, sure it does seem a bit pricey. But after a couple seasons of AAU, what's $45? That's just a weekend spectator pass for mom and dad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from 4th-6th grade non-profit AAU organizational level. It's not a money scam. Most team have an A,B, and maybe C team. The A-team usually travel to a few overnight tournaments that will be pricey. The B and C teams usually stay local and may have one overnight tournament. Admin fees are usually between $200-400 and $200-300 for tournament costs for spring season.

Spectator fees can be pricey $25-60 for a two day pass per parent. Hotel stays will cost you $500 per weekend. To me, that's a scam.

FYI, Admin and tournament fees quoted above are low in my recent experience probably because the coaches are volunteers or get minimal stipends for their time, coaches travel fees are not reimbursed, and team practices in lower cost school gyms. We (and other friends with middle and high school players) will pay over $1000 for the spring/summer season but we travel a lot for higher-level tournaments or circuits, our coaches are paid and we practice in non public school gyms.

The tryout fee weeds out kids who are just looking for 2 hours of playing time in gym... and there is nothing wrong with that because we've brought DS to tryouts just for a good workout.