Why Mergers & Acquisitions Are Making ADs Nervous (And What They Can Do About It)
There has been an unprecedented level of consolidation across the K–12 technology space. Companies that once served athletic departments are being acquired, merged, or absorbed into broader platforms.
At the National AD Conference, ADs expressed deep concerns about what this means for their programs.
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1. Support Teams Disappear
One of the first changes ADs notice after an acquisition is a shift in support.
The people who knew their district, remembered their pain points, and understood the athletic calendar are suddenly gone.
Instead, ADs are routed through generic ticketing systems or district-level help desks that lack athletics expertise. When issues arise during peak season: roster deadlines, eligibility checks, medical clearance, slower or less knowledgeable support isn’t just frustrating, it can create real operational risk.
2. Prices Increase While Value Decreases
Post-acquisition pricing changes were another frequent complaint.
ADs reported unexpected contract changes, bundled offerings they didn’t ask for, and reduced flexibility in renewals.
At the same time, innovation often slows. Features designed specifically for athletic departments may be deprioritized in favor of broader district initiatives, leaving ADs paying more while receiving fewer meaningful improvements to their daily workflows
3. Product Roadmap Changes Overnight
When ownership changes, so do priorities.
Tools that were once built “by and for” athletic departments can quickly become secondary to larger platform goals.
ADs shared frustration with seeing long-requested features disappear from roadmaps entirely or pushed out indefinitely. For departments that depend on stability year-over-year, sudden product shifts create uncertainty and force ADs to rethink systems they were counting on
4. Data Ownership and Security Become Unclear
Perhaps the most concerning issue raised was data. When vendors are acquired, ADs often aren’t told- clearly or proactively- what happens to their student and family information.
Questions arise quickly:
- Who owns the data now?
- Where is it stored?
- Is it being shared, sold, or repurposed?
Without transparency, ADs are left responsible for protecting sensitive student information without knowing who ultimately controls it, a position no school leader wants to be in.
Why Stability Has Become a Differentiator
Across all of these concerns, one theme stood out:
ADs want partners, not transitions and change.
They value predictability, transparency, and long-term commitment more than flashy new features or aggressive expansion.
In a role already burdened with compliance, communication, and risk management, the last thing ADs want is to question whether their core systems will still meet their needs next season.
FinalForms' Commitment to Athletic Departments
FinalForms was built specifically for athletic administration and remains focused on that mission. We are privately owned, stable, and committed to serving ADs, not positioning ourselves for acquisition.
Our roadmap is driven by the realities of athletic departments:
- Seasonal pressure
- Compliance needs
- Data accuracy
- Communication clarity
- Long-term trust
Focus matters. Districts using FinalForms report reducing AD turnover from 27% to 9%, a clear indicator that stability and support directly impact leadership sustainability.
Looking Ahead
Change in the vendor landscape isn’t slowing down, but ADs can choose partners that prioritize consistency, transparency, and long-term service.
If your department is navigating vendor uncertainty or evaluating what stability really looks like, we’re always happy to share what we’re seeing across thousands of schools nationwide.
About FinalForms
FinalForms is a leader in K-12 education technology, specializing in registration, compliance, and communication solutions. Trusted by thousands of schools, FinalForms empowers administrators to save time, improve compliance, and enhance safety through real-time access to critical student information.
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