Nine parents are suing a youth sports lodging company, claiming they were told their kids couldn't compete unless they booked hotel rooms through its platform. The proposed class action, filed in federal court in Kentucky, takes aim at "stay-to-play" rules and a pile of fees that parents say showed up on top of the room rate. The company denies wrongdoing.
What the lawsuit alleges:
- The suit was filed in the Western District of Kentucky against The Complete Plan Inc., which does business as Team Travel Source. The plaintiffs are nine parents from seven states whose kids do cheerleading and volleyball.
- The amended complaint alleges deceptive booking requirements, inadequately disclosed mandatory fees and misleading promises of discounted rates.
- Kentucky mother Kate Russell says 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 booked elsewhere. According to the complaint, a teammate's family booked elsewhere and the player still competed.
- The parents also challenge charges labeled booking, housing, cancellation convenience and premier property fees. Some allegedly applied per night, even on a single reservation.
- The company's rate guarantee covers only some events, excludes booking fees from price comparisons and requires matching room types, amenities and cancellation terms, the complaint says. Membership and government rates are excluded.
- One parent reportedly found a cheaper room directly through a hotel but was denied a price adjustment because the Team Travel Source booking included a rollaway bed. The parent didn't want or need the bed, attorney Karen Dahlberg O'Connell said.
The money angle
The complaint cites company marketing claiming more than $17 million in rebates paid to tournament organizers in 2025. Plaintiffs allege those payments were funded by inflated lodging costs and fees. That allegation is disputed.
According to website figures cited in the complaint, Team Travel Source touches more than 1,600 events a year in over 400 cities across 44 states.
The company's response
Team Travel Source denied the allegations in a statement provided by Kelley Roberts to the Daily Caller News Foundation. It said it would respond through counsel in court and described its business as ethical.
In its motion to dismiss, the company argued that tournament organizers set the stay-to-play requirements and decide exemptions. It also said its checkout process disclosed fees before customers completed reservations, and that families received room blocks, booking help and customer support. The company filed its reply supporting dismissal on Wednesday.
Why parents are paying attention
O'Connell told the DCNF that hundreds of parents contacted her team after the filing, describing similar experiences nationwide. She said the goal is for families to have "freedom of choice" on where they stay.
The costs are already steep. An Aspen Institute survey found families spent an average of $1,016 on one child's primary sport in 2024, up 46% from 2019. Hotels weren't even the headline number there.
The plaintiffs want class certification, damages and court orders addressing the challenged practices. Nothing has been proven, and the judge has yet to rule on the motion to dismiss.
Source: AOL.com