Go beyond the box score with quality, in-depth local and national sports coverage from an all-star team of writers. The Athletic is a subscription-based media publisher of smarter sports coverage for die-hard fans. With coverage in most major professio...
The Athletic HQ (theathletic.com) has 262 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 1.2 out of 5.
Is this your business?
Correct your details and reply to customers in public. Both are free.
Claim this listing
Media & Information · San Francisco, California
Excellent
Media & Information · Temecula, California
Excellent
Media & Information · Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Excellent
Media & Information · El Dorado Hills, California
Excellent
Showing 241 reviews with 1 star · Clear filters
Ellen Kristiansen K.
I wouldn't even give one star if I had the option. I signed up for a free trial and immediately cancelled it, little did I know they charged me £59.99!!! I didn't even log on and read one article yet they stole £59.99 from me. STAY AWAY FROM THE ATHLETIC!!!! Customer service is woeful too, very very disappointed
Neil R.
Like many people posting here, I was effectively duped on the automatic renewal subscription at £59.99, although I had cancelled the subscription and requested a refund. They are an American owned publisher and like many others entice people to take out an initial annual subscription at what they call a “discounted” price and then catch subscribers out with a renewal subscription at a far higher price. This is automated unless you dig down into their web system to cancel. Since their so called customer services did not respond to my message on their system and they cannot be contacted by phone, I recently registered an official dispute with my credit card company for them to pursue The Athletic and have my credit card credited back. I suggest you might want do the same because a person has protections under UK law when paying for goods and services by credit card when the ‘retailer’ / ‘trader’ is in breach of trading terms, suppling defective goods or services and other defined matters. The fact that The Athletic has a “no refunds” policy is irrelevant when it comes to them acting improperly. I can tell you that errant retailers/traders don’t like taking on the might of credit card companies as there are commercial adverse consequences for them for constant malpractice. Use their ‘manage my account’ tab, even if you are mid-term during an annual subscription, to immediately ‘cancel the subscription’ (effectively this is stopping a renewal) and take a screen shot of the webpage. Also remove your credit card details from your account. This will be evidence for your credit card company in the event you are incorrectly charged for a renewed subscription. On cancellation you will still receive access to their digital service for the remaining period of the annual subscription. It’s a real shame The Athletic operate in this awful commercial way (and they are not alone) because they have many excellent journalists. I have opted to let The Athletic HQ know I have posted this review. I am not hopeful of a reply! N. Robinson, UK.
Peter T.
Appalling customer service. You cannot actually speak to anyone to voice your concern. My payment details were incorrect despite me changing them on their website, nothing saved. They also kept calling me by the wrong name and said to send a reply email to them for help. When you reply nobody answers. Its disgusting really, they simply don’t care.
Jamie S.
After having a subscription for a year and enjoying it, The Athletic decided to just take £59.99 out of my account without any notice that the subscription was about to end and the price increase. This is absolutely disgraceful. If I had some communication a month or so in advance of this warning me I would have made an informed decision to either keep it or not but no. No prior warning, no generic email explaining the subscription was due for renewal, nothing. Very poor and shady tactics.
David
My 1 year subscription came to an end. They automatically renewed my subscription at double the price with no prior warning. When I looked into it. I then learned that they have a 'no refunds policy' even after cancellations. I cancelled my subscription on the day it was due to renew and still can't get a refund. What company operates that way. Avoid like the plague. Couple of decent podcasts on there but nowhere near worth £59.99. Con artists at work.
Peter H.
No refund policy is ridiculous, not sure it is even legal....
Sam H.
"No A55holes. Treat others with respect." The Athletic demands of users. But they don't respect us as customers. i have raised several support tickets, a formal complaint, emails back to "Hailey" their ZenDesk bot and tweeted - all ignored or given a standard "We don't refund" statement. My subscription was renewed automatically by the Athletic in Dec 2020. There was no warning, nor any confirmation pre or post the payment being taken. As soon as i realised I notified them (early Jan) and asked for a refund but was told bluntly ,no despite the fact it was less than 1 month into 12 months, I had not used my subscription and I lost my job in December due and cannot afford this. Disgraceful
Anonymous
They don't notify you when your subscription is coming to an end, auto renew at double the price and don't refund for their deceit. Ignored emails and poor service.