NCAA switching to RefQuest

[ElvisLives]

OK, so the NCAA is switching to RefQuest (RQ+) for their officiating services platform, instead of Arbiter. Probably no skin off of any officials' noses, as long as they still get game review video, bulletins, etc., at least as timely as they did with Arbiter (which is more a function of Shaw/Blandino, et al, getting things posted). The only logistical issue I see for NCAA guys is with ArbiterPay. What happens there? Are the many institutions paying with ArbiterPay going to have to jump through some hoops to change to RefQuest? If so, how might that affect the officials? They, too, may have to provide account info to RefQuest for direct payment.

These things happen. I wonder if the loss of the NCAA will fatally injure Arbiter?

[dammitbobby]

Fall sports for 2022 will still be on Arbiter. 

https://collegiatewaterpolo.org/national-collegiate-athletic-association-to-utilize-refquest-for-officiating-services-program-effective-september-2022/

I'd imagine they get a lot of other leagues, sports, etc., so I think it's a pretty big dent yes, but since it's subscription-based, they should be fine.

[bossman72]

I wonder if the loss of the NCAA will fatally injure Arbiter?

Doubtful.  I'd say 95% of electronically assigned games nationwide come from Arbiter, especially high school and youth leagues.  I think they'll be ok.

Plus, it's just for NCAA, so your NCAA playoff games will come from RefQuest instead of ArbiterPay.  Everyone else stays on Arbiter for the regular season.

[HLinNC]

I thought the NCAA owned Arbiter, or at least a piece of it?  Seems a bit strange.

[NVFOA_Ump]

I thought the NCAA owned Arbiter, or at least a piece of it?  Seems a bit strange.

Maybe related to the data breach in 2020 and the multi-million dollar settlement to the class action lawsuit that was settled late last year?