Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  05/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My 5 year old son basketball session was terminated by I9 sports in Independence, MO on 4/25/2023 due to an non physical incident that occurred between two parties after the game ended in which the other team originally initiated the argument. We was told that we would receive a refund back but now we are being denied a refund or any other compensation while other parents on our same team was offered to play on another team or a credit towards another session. The other team that started the incident was never held accountable for their actions in this matter while our team is being blamed for the whole incident like we were the only party involve. This is unfair and unacceptable especially as a business organization to treat paying consumer customers who supported their organization for many years now. I have attached the email where we was offered to receive a refund but now we are being denied of any type of compensation or resolution from I9 Sports of Independence, MO.

  Business response

  05/10/2023

  After investigating the matter, the complainant did not receive a refund because of a serious breach of conduct detrimental to our youth sports program. As a result of this conduct, which has no place in recreational sports for 5-year-olds, or any level of sport, for that matter, families arriving for the following game turned around and left, fearful for their safety. Some players and their families have yet to return this season and will likely not return for future seasons. Members of our own staff said they would not return to work if we took no action. 
  We received reports of threats to parents on the opposing team. Even parents not involved in the game witnessed what happened and shared with us their concern. And demanded action. We have taken the appropriate steps. Another consideration for not refunding the registration was that most of the season had been played. Our spring seasons are typically seven games long and four games had been played. The incident was expensive for our business. It damaged our reputation as a safe and fun program for kids. It likely cost us future business. Refunding those responsible for inflicting this serious damage to our program would not be a prudent business decision.

  Customer response

  05/15/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered] 
  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because it is being judge off of one sided and both teams should had been eliminated. They are going off of here say from the opposing team and staff who is afraid of the opposing team coach and never offered to get out side of the story. I have attached an email requesting to get a copy of the recordings since our team is getting accused of being the suspects in this matter when people on both sides played a part in the incident that happened on 4/22/23. We were not anble to get a copy of the recording due to the timeframe and other matters but we was told from the one of the I9 directors to send an email to **** ****** to get a copy. We was also threatened by the opposing team parents and getting bombarded as well which should show on the video. Also, the other team coach who is white, made a racist comment towards one of our coaches who is black, during the game which stated “ I am from the hood too” but our coach was the bigger person and didn’t let that comment get him out of character. Again, some of our parents on the team was offered to be placed on another team or a refund and they was also present when the incident occurred in which one of our players parent refused to be placed on a different team due to how they treated us and demanded a refund but was offered a credit after complaining on social media about it. So my question is how does half of the parents/kids gets the option to be placed on another team or a credit versus the other parents/players when in the video per I9 director that they could not specify each individual’s?
  Regards,
  ******** ******

  Business response

  05/16/2023

  We take seriously matters like this and stand by our decision.

  Customer response

  05/16/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered] 
  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because the decision to eliminate one team versus both teams when the opposing team initiated the argument is an unlawful, unjustifiable decision/act and unfair actions on the part of the company. I will be requesting a subpoena of the video recording through court of law since we cannot come to a resolution of this matter. This action is discriminatory especially since neither directors reached out to our team to get our side of the story like the email from **** ****** Lodge staff member mention that the director from I9 Sports independence said that he would do. I also have the 18 minute conversation when speaking to one of the I9 Sports independence directors on 4/25/23 regarding the email of our team getting eliminated and expressing to him that our team was not at fault for what happened. There was never any physical altercation or anything physical damaged nor any threats made from. I am not sure why I9 staff member felt threatened when they was agreeing with us on what occurred that day so this is something new that was just added and again discriminatory. Our team never used negative or derogatory language or have any altercation with any of I9 staff members, officials, coaches, players or kids so we didn’t break the parental pledge. This was an incident between 2 spectators teams that happened after the game ended successfully. I believe the opposing team, false witnesses and its staff member are just pointing fingers and making up lies about our team just so that we couldn’t finish our session and then blame us for damaging the organization. I will be reaching out to the CEO, CIO, COO, etc to report all staff members and the directors of I9 sport’s independence to let them know that they have unprofessional and rude people that shows favoritism towards a certain team running their organization and making unfair, discrimination decision based on false statements that has all been made by the opposing team. I will also let everyone know via social media how I9 sport’s independence made this unfair, discriminatory, biased, unjustifiable, one-sides, wrong decision based on what took place on 4/22/23.
  Regards,
  ******** ******

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