Paid a “Management Fee” on SportsEngine? California families may be entitled to statutory damages of up to $1,000.
Since July 1, 2024, California's Honest Pricing Law has required that the price a business lists include every mandatory fee. When a youth sports registration, membership or club dues payment through SportsEngine shows one price, then adds a “Management Fee” or processing fee in the cart, that may violate the law. California consumers may recover statutory damages of up to $1,000, plus attorneys' fees.
Illustrative example, not an actual receipt. If the fee was not part of the price you were first shown, California law may be on your side.
See if you may qualify
A few quick questions. Under 60 seconds. No obligation.
You may qualify if:
- You paid online through SportsEngine for a youth sports registration, membership or club dues
- You made the payment on or after July 1, 2024
- You were living in California when you paid
- An added charge such as a “Management Fee,” “Processing Fee” or “Convenience Fee” appeared at checkout
- That fee was not included in the price first shown for the registration or membership
- You still have the confirmation email or a receipt (helpful, not required)
Why a checkout “Management Fee” may be illegal under California law
California's Honest Pricing Law, often called SB 478, took effect on July 1, 2024. It makes it unlawful to advertise, display or offer a price for a good or service that does not include all mandatory fees or charges, other than government taxes and reasonable shipping costs. The rule is simple: the price you see is supposed to be the price you pay.
1. The listed price has to be the whole price
Clubs, leagues and governing bodies use SportsEngine to collect registration fees, memberships and dues. The registration page lists a price. On some checkouts, a “Management Fee” or similar processing charge is then added in the cart, after the parent has already entered their child's information. If that fee is mandatory and was not part of the price first shown, the listed price was not the whole price, and the practice may fall within what the Honest Pricing Law prohibits. It does not matter whether you paid by card or bank account.
2. The remedy is statutory, not a refund of the fee
The Honest Pricing Law is enforced through California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act. A consumer who was charged a hidden fee may seek statutory damages, and the law provides for recovery of attorneys' fees and costs on top of any award. That is why a fee of a dollar or two can support a meaningful claim.
Records help. Your SportsEngine confirmation email or receipt showing the fee, your card or bank statement, and a screenshot of the registration page price all strengthen a claim. If you do not have them, you may still qualify.
Dapeer Law represents consumers in these matters on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless we recover for you, and clients are not responsible for costs if there is no recovery.
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Registered more than one child, or more than one season?
Each payment with an added fee may matter. The three year clock runs from the date you paid, so earlier payments are the first to age out. Checking whether you may qualify takes about a minute and costs nothing.
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