Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids’ Playing Status If They Didn’t Pay Lodging Fees

Parents accused a youth sports travel company of misleading families into paying hotel booking fees and higher lodging costs by telling them their children could not compete unless they booked through its platform, according to a federal lawsuit.

The proposed class action against Team Travel Source challenges “stay-to-play” practices that tie tournament participation to designated hotel booking arrangements, adding to the costs families face beyond registration, equipment and travel. Attorney Karen Dahlberg O’Connell told the Daily Caller News Foundation that hundreds of parents contacted her legal team after the case was filed, reporting similar experiences across the country.

The lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Kentucky against The Complete Plan Inc., which operates as Team Travel Source, includes nine parents from seven states whose children participate in cheerleading and volleyball. The amended complaint alleges deceptive booking requirements, inadequately disclosed mandatory fees and misleading promises of discounted hotel rates.

Team Travel Source denied wrongdoing in a statement provided to the DCNF by Kelley Roberts.

“We deny participation in any alleged violation of the law in connection with the allegations in the proposed class action lawsuit or otherwise,” the company said, adding that it would address the allegations through counsel in the appropriate forum. “We have always run our company in an ethical way and truly appreciate everyone in the space.”

In court filings seeking dismissal, the company argued that tournament organizers established stay-to-play requirements and determine exemptions. It also said its checkout process disclosed fees before customers finalized reservations and that families received services including room blocks, booking assistance and customer support.

Kentucky mother Kate Russell alleged she booked three nights at an Atlanta hotel for $516.85, including $15 in booking service fees, after being told her daughter’s volleyball team could be disqualified if she did not reserve through the platform. A teammate’s family booked elsewhere and the child still competed, according to the complaint.

The parents also challenged mandatory charges labeled as booking, housing, cancellation convenience and premier property fees. Some applied per night even when a parent made a single reservation, the complaint alleges.

The company’s guarantee applies only to some events, excludes booking fees from rate comparisons and requires matching room types, amenities and cancellation terms. Membership and government rates are among its exclusions.