ComplaintsforI9 Sports Corporation

• Initial Complaint

  10/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I wanted to file a complaint about the business i9 Sports, LLC. I signed my daughter up on 09/26/22 (confirmation *******) for $189.00. My daughter was really excited to start her journey with this league. Unfortunately, she has not been able to play any games as the coach keeps saying that the games are cancelled, and they have to "work out some issues". Every week since I have signed up this has been happening which is absolutely wrong. I looked up other complaints, and it appears several other parents are complaining about paying and not receiving the services. I have called numerous times asking for a supervisor for a refund and no one has attempted to reach out. In my opinion, I think this is fraud if a company is taking money and canceling games. This isn't something that has just happened, but has been going on for years. I want a full refund.

  Business response

  10/19/2022

   As the nation's first and largest youth sports league franchise business in the US, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and always strive to give the best possible experience to our customers. This matter has been resolved to the customer's satisfaction.

• Initial Complaint

  10/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Signed our son up for fall flag football at ********* *********. It was the 4/5 year Olds. **** on first week and had no coach and no one from I9 came over for 32min of the 45 we have. A dad who was fed up coached the team and was never properly vetted by i9. Next week we had the same issue except no parent coached and kids just ran around until a young i9 kid came over about 25 minutes in and tried to have the kids run laps and stretch. The kids were already playing with each other and running around unsupervised from any coach for *************************************** run. Most wanted to go home or play a game. Parents were upset and verbally let the young kid know they were unhappy with i9. Another supervisor came over and started to try and have them play. Last was the 4th week which was another i9 mess. No coach, no supervisor for 20 minutes. Finally a coach came over to hold a game between ravens and bears but the bears team he was with refused to play. So we went home with no coaching or training. After trying for 2 weeks to have a Manager call us, one finally did. He was rude and did not care about the coach. He stated our coach never showed and they didn't have another one. When I asked for full refund he refused. I asked for the owner next..A day later, after stating I was going get affidavits signed by other parents, ***** the owner called me. He was unapologetic and told me to check the contract as it say no refund. He offered a partial but I want a full since my son got zero coaching and they never had an assigned coach for his team. He refused and I again told him I would have some parents sign an affidavit, he stated he would call the police if I showed up to the public park. I would be trespassing since they have the permit. I explained I have paid dues and have no notice in writting stating this. I9 should be embarrassed for have an owner, who claims he was a 23 year law enforcement retiree, run a franchise. He clearly does not care.

  Business response

  10/24/2022

  As the nation's first and largest youth sports league franchise business in the US, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible experience to our customers.  Our local Franchise Owner resolved this matter to the customer's satisfaction on 10/21/22.

  Customer response

  10/24/2022

   
  Complaint: 18237372
  
  I am rejecting this response because: the matter was not resolved and the local franchise owner threatened to have me arrested if I showed up. I did not violate contract but I9 did according to there contract. I never received anything in writting from I9 and have called the main i9 company with no response. 

  If threatening to arrest a parent is the response of resolve, maybe we should go to court with the parents signed affidavits attesting that no coaches were present for at least 30 minutes of two games. Parents who were not vetted by i9 ran the drills. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

  Business response

  11/01/2022

  We spoke to the customer on 10/26/22. This matter has been resolved.

  Customer response

  11/01/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  10/10/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I have an 8 year old son that enrolled into the a i9sports basketball owned by ******************* in *******, **. We attended the fist game last week and had a great time. Today 10/ 09/22 we show up for the game and I was informed through word of mouth from another parentd that my son's team had been broken up and all players sent to another team. By this time we have been there 30 minutes. I walked up to ************** and *******, who was my sons coach last week. I say hey my son was on the Tarheels now I being told he is no longer on that team what team is he on? ******* starts trying to assist me and ************** started yelling saying " I sent out an to all of y'all. I dont have time for this," and walks off. I never received an email. However my issues is with hiw ************** handled the situation. I definitely would hope that is not the behavior i9sports supports and encourages. ****************** behavior was not only disrespectful but the fact that he was comfortable enough to talk to me like that in front of young children, other parents, and coaches is a direct reflection of his lack of respect for the game and i9 sports sportsmanship that I was told would be upheld. At a time where there has been an increase in violence at youth sport events, I did not and do not feel safe with my son playing for i9sports until this has been addressed and/ or our money refunded.

  Business response

  10/11/2022

  As the nation's first and largest youth sports league franchise business in the US, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and always strive to give the best possible experience to our customers.  We corresponded with this customer on 10/10/22. This matter has been resolved to their satisfaction.

  Customer response

  10/14/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  08/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I enrolled both of my sons to play Flag Football for the 2022 Summer season. Prior to the season starting, I contacted the company and requested that by boys be moved from from Football to Soccer. I was told that the request would eb forwarded to the director Terrence Moore and I would hear back within 48 hours. several days passed and no one reached out to me so I called again the day before the first game and was told the director would contact me. Never happened. After two weeks and two games of no follow-up, I called again and was told that my sons were switched to soccer, but for whatever reason I was never notified. 3 weeks into the 6 week season, I started getting emails from the soccer coach. I called again and explained thatit was ridiculous to start my kids halfway through the season because someone dropped the ball and requested a refund since my boy never got the opportunity to play. I was told the director would reach out in 24-48 hours. A week passed, no one called so I called again. I was again told an email was being sent to the director and to wait 24-48 hours. Another two weeks passed and absolutely no one contacted me regarding a refund. I called AGAIN and was told, well someone is working on it but they have 30 days to give a refund and instead said i should just try emailing the director myself because he wasn't answering anyone else. I could not believe the level of disorganization and unprofessionalism of this organization. It has been over 2 months and not a single person has taken accountability. Each time I call they say its a franchise and only the director can help which he has outright refused to respond at all. These youth sports cost far too much money for the leadership to be so careless. I would like to be refunded the full $370 I paid so I can enroll my children in an organization with a bit more dignity and professionalism.

  Business response

  08/23/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/19) */ As the nation's first and largest youth sports league franchise business in the US, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible experience to our customers. Our local Franchise Owner has been in direct contact with the customer, and the matter has been resolved to the customer's satisfaction. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/08/22) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

• Initial Complaint

  06/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We signed our daughter up for the summer basketball session in Loganville. We went to the first game and it was unorganized, there was not any air in the gym and my daughter hated it. It was not an experience that we thought we would get for paying $155.00 for. When we spoke to the customer service representatives they said they contacted the program director to request a refund. They stated we should receive an email when the refund processed within 24-48 hours. Well, we never received the email so I called to check the status. When I called the second time they got the program director to call us and she was very defensive and rude. She told us that she did not understand why the customer service representatives would tell us that and she said she could not give us our money back. I would not recommend i9 to any parent. Join your local recreation team, but avoid i9! They are the most unorganized sports organization that we have experienced and we will not be going through another i9 organization again and we will ensure that we tell our friends and family not to as well.

  Business response

  07/11/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/06/21) */ As the nation's first and largest youth sports league franchise business in the US, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible experience to our customers. Our local Franchise Owner resolved this matter to the customer's satisfaction on 6/21/22.

• Initial Complaint

  05/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My son was signed up for flag football for division spring 2022. He was assigned to a team and all was going great. This is the first time for us playing this sports and participating in I9 sports. We got an email to come to practice the night before and then come to the game. All good so far. Except for after the first game we got a call from i9 telling us that there are too many kids in the team and we need to be moved to another. My son gets quite attached and it's hard for him to just play for one team and then go with another. But fine he found the courage and joined another team. He was only 7 at the time. When we heard nothing from the new couch regarding the practice, we started to wonder. On the day of the game with the new team we find out that practices are not allowed on any other days other than the day of the game. Then we find out that the team who kicked plus out is very competitive and known for cheating which in this case practicing extra. So we guess that the new kid such as my son simply didn't suit the team and they simply sent him off. We wasted this season and my son is completely not interested in the game despite the fact that the new team is welcoming. He simply doesn't want to play anymore especially when the had to face the first team he was with during one of the games. Bitter taste and loss of interest

  Business response

  06/01/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/05/17) */ As the nation's first and largest youth sports league franchise business in the US, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible experience to our customers. Our local Franchise Owner has been in direct contact with the customer, and the matter has been resolved to the customer's satisfaction.

• Initial Complaint

  05/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In January 2022 I purchased the spring basketball season from I9Sports for my 11 year old son who has been a melanoma patient. The reason I chose this sport is because the I9Sports website clearly advertises it as being played indoors. The season was supposed to start in April 16 2022, but the day before I received an email informing us that the game would be cancelled because there was no staff available from Rushe Middle School to open the gates so they cancelled the game. The following week we received another email informing us that the game would be played on the outdoor courts since Rushe Middle School is short staffed and will not open the gym doors.They promised to do everything possible to resolve the situation and try to find a new place to hold the games. Two games were played since the first week was cancelled. I let my son participate thinking it would only be one day, the practice and games were from 2 pm to 5 pm. Those hours are some of the hottest and worst to be exposed to the sun even when wearing sunscreen, also NO Bathrooms Available. The following week we received another email with the news that Rushe Middle School has denied indoor play for the remainder of the season. I9Sport let us know that they would give us a $50 credit for any other season or sport only in Pasco county and that all future cancelled games would be played on May 28th from 9 am. one more game has been cancelled so as of today, May 6, only one day has been played. I sent an email to Laurie Cornish, the program director, on April 30 stating my reason for purchasing the basketball season and letting her know that I did not want a credit but a refund. It has been a week now and I have not received a response. Attached are the emails received and the email sent by me.

  Business response

  05/24/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/05/10) */ This matter was resolved with the member today, 5/10/22.

• Initial Complaint

  04/23/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Beach advertising for summer camp that does not involve a beach. i-9 puts up illegal advertising all over ever corner over every neighborhood area there have a paying franchise. They do provide a service but it is wholly underwhelming compared to the Community based model. Profit is good, but not on the back of our learning children.

  Business response

  05/17/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/05/02) */ Each of our i9 Sports franchisees works with their community to make families aware of our youth sports programs for kids in the area. Our programs are focused on providing an experience that's fun for kids and convenient for busy parents and we're committed to seeing that happen in thousands of communities each week. We love to spread the word about what we do so we can help kids benefit from participation in sports. If we have dropped the ball in your area somehow, we apologize. You can also reach out to the phone number that is listed on the sign if you would like to discuss this matter in more detail.

• Initial Complaint

  04/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Signed my child up for flag football. Didn't receive the roster till 3 days before start with only 3 children on the roster. Roster was supposed to be out a week prior and with enough children to make up the team. Called multiple times to be ignored by Glen of Pinellas south (St. Petersburg fl ) I9 franchise. Promise to call and did not. Also he put me down as head coach when I only said if need be id assist. He won't return my calls or money not being able to make revise service.

  Business response

  05/06/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/04/18) */ As the nation's first and largest youth sports league franchise business in the US, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and always strive to give the best possible experience to our customers. This matter is currently being resolved with the customer.

• Initial Complaint

  01/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Signed up and paid. Never received info on opening day. Contact the POC who informs me two days before opening day that not enough children signed up and did we want to switch days. We couldn't do another day, so I requested a refund. Now I'm being ghosted, I'm out the money and my child is so disappointed.

  Business response

  01/31/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/13) */ This matter was resolved successfully with the member by 1/13/2022.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩