I can say this is correct because I went through the process, though the one I was dealing with was a new program to Northeast Ohio, but it's a former NBA player who already has an Adidas backed Guantlet team. So the Cleveland team was going to play regional this year and hopefully move up to The Gauntlet next year. Plus, even though this team wasn't going to be on the circuit they were given the green light to use the name and the Adidas uniforms (and if they played in an Adidas tournament had to where Adidas shoes). So, technically since it wasn't a circuit team yet, there was a "charge" but TBH, if your son (or daughter) is good enough, you should not have to pay a dime even if it's not an elite team. Mines been playing for three years on some mid level teams and I haven't had to pay a dime outside of some travel expenses unless I wanted to be at an out of state tournament.
With that, I do know for a fact that there are definitely plans to have AAU in some fashion this summer. Just got a message about a team in the Akron area that has four tournaments scheduled and wanting to see if mine was interested in joining. It's a team that already has two of his HS teammates on it, but it looks like they are allowing up to four from the same school now, from the little I have been told. I'm still trying to get more information about it, though.