A Message from the President of the AAU:

In today’s youth basketball landscape, families have more choices than ever. But not all choices are equal -- and not all organizations take athlete protection seriously. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has spent more than a century building a national community rooted in opportunity, integrity, and safety.

While many event operators claim to offer “elite” experiences, AAU remains one of the few organizations that voluntarily holds itself to a higher standard. We do this not because anyone forces us to, but because every young athlete deserves to play in an environment where they are protected, valued, and properly supported.

And in that crowded marketplace, families must be cautious. Do not be fooled by groups claiming to be “AAU” simply because they use the letters or the look. If an event does not require you to be an AAU member to participate, then it is not AAU. Our name is earned through standards, not borrowed for marketing.

AAU is one of the only major organizations in youth basketball that requires full athlete-protection protocols across its entire system. Every coach working with children must pass a background check. Every team must complete age verification to ensure fair and honest competition. Every athlete and club is protected by comprehensive insurance that covers them before, during, and after events. These safeguards are not optional; they are central to who we are as an organization. We carry this responsibility because families trust us with their most important asset -- their children.

Most of our competitors—whether they are private equity–backed tournament companies or small “ma and pa” event operators—cannot meet these standards. Many do not conduct background checks on coaches. Many do not verify ages. Most do not provide meaningful athlete insurance. And now, as new state laws go into effect requiring fingerprinting for individuals working with youth, these organizations are even less prepared. The added expense, complexity, and oversight will push many to cut corners, look the other way, or quietly ignore what the law requires.

AAU does not cut corners. We raise the bar.

As a national nonprofit with a mission to protect and serve young athletes, compliance is not a burden -- it is a duty. AAU is already built on a foundation of background checks, athlete-protection practices, membership accountability, and insurance protections that most operators have never invested in. When fingerprinting becomes mandatory, AAU will integrate it smoothly, just as we integrated background screening years ago. We have the infrastructure, the scale, and the ethical responsibility to do it right.

This is where the difference becomes unmistakable. Private equity groups are motivated by revenue. They are not designed to meet new regulatory requirements, nor are they inclined to absorb costs that do not increase profit. Smaller independent event operators face the same issue -- they lack the organizational capacity, legal framework, and administrative systems to deliver the level of athlete protection modern youth sports now demand. They don't have the capability.

AAU does. And this is why AAU remains the home for youth basketball.

Our modest membership fee is not a barrier -- it is a safeguard.
- It funds the systems that protect young athletes.
- It ensures every coach is vetted.
- It provides insurance for every athlete.
- It keeps the standards high even when no one is watching.

Parents should never have to guess whether the adults coaching their children have been screened. Athletes should never play in events where identity or age is uncertain. Families should never face injury or crisis at events where insurance simply does not exist. The promise of youth sports is opportunity, community, and growth -- not unnecessary risk.

AAU is not perfect, but we are principled. We stand not only on tradition but on responsibility. As regulations tighten and expectations rise, AAU will continue to lead by example. Families seeking a trusted, credible, and safe environment for their children will always find a home in AAU Basketball.

And remember: if they don’t require AAU membership, they are not AAU.


AAU President, CEO
Jo Mirza