How Youth Sports Became a $38 Billion Play | Power Players

[@hugohoyzer2202]

peak america. squeezing the last bit of juice out of capitalism

[@MDRZ10]

definitely what it feels like from this video. sad.

[@checkdown3774]

America is more a hybrid of capitalism and socialism.

[@bigzclipz5104]

You want the best of the best to compete

[@kevnev342]

The cult of sports has no bounds. I'm all for kids playing and competing, but something looks very dubious when you're profiting off kids' efforts. They'll be easy to exploit especially kids from low incomes, from coaches to parents alike.

[@magnus9165]

The robber barons have taken over College Sports. Sweet NIL deals will only suppress the truth for so long. The robber barons own College Sports. Once the tax payers in this nation figure out they are funding the higher education institutions that the robber baron leeches have attached their bloodsucking mouths to the jugular vein to, it will be much too late.

[@danacoleman4007]

they're not looking to exploit kids from low incomes.

[@MichaelLoves2024]

The sixers owner said it will keep kids "off the street". No family spending $12k per kid is in roaming the streets. Its a huge hustle that preys on kids and parents.

[@mack-uv6gn]

Parents think their kid is the next MJ or Cal Ripken or Tom Brady that’s why they spend so much

[@dkobia]

The only non pay-for-play sport today is Football - at least where I am in the south. It is truly heartbreaking that this is what youth sports has devolved into.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

man football is expensive here for youth. my friend signed up her kids for a season. they were ages 10 and 12 it cost her $800 each. $1600 total.

[@philip7833]

@@nofurtherwest3474 Maybe that's a blessing in disguise. I personally don't think kids should be playing tackle football at such a young age. There's studies on CTE. A lot of pro/college players started in high school anyways.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@philip7833 I agree.

[@danacoleman4007]

youth football most definitely has a cost.

[@KK-pm7ud]

It's disgusting what has happened.

[@BenB-hz1hz]

Why not just skip playing on teams with crazy fees and invest the money into a 529 plan, etc? If the scholarship statistics are true, you have better odds of making money in the markets. You can likely have darn near a full ride if you start early enough.

[@Redmenace96]

Strange report. Make no mistake, youth sports is a full-on business. It is tricky to think we all have emotional attachment to sports, and huge emotional investment (personally and socially) in children. We all know how this ends up. In business, profit is number one- not children.

[@south2lt]

How do you define an economic bubble without calling it a bubble? Overall, demand is decreasing but price is increasing.

[@davidnmfarrell]

Won't the professionalization of youth sports exclude more kids from sport?

[@MDRZ10]

Exactly - love Cal Ripken, Jr, but this approach seems to perpetuate the problems of youth baseball.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@MDRZ10 Little League is the most popular league here. I'm guessing though that LL has sold out to private equity as well, or will someday. But it still is affordable since it's run mostly by volunteers.

[@jefflewis4]

Yes, the kids that can't afford to go to these tournaments have less opportunities to play. Resulting in an overall decline in participation.

[@ousamaabdu794]

​@@MDRZ10It's a shame.. Cal was a quintessential role model but it seems that greed has got to him also.. And he was already worth mid 8 figures

[@ousamaabdu794]

110%... The amount of kids participating in sports has dropped drastically.. I've seen it firsthand.. Especially in the inner cities and working class areas.. Kids of all races who folks aren't at a middle class level participation levels have dropped off big time

[@urbanstrencan]

Sport is one thing that connect all of us ❤

[@Broodjemetbeleg]

Reason why you guys will never compete with european football and basketball to an extend. Top players are all from overseas. Money money money.

[@michaelrfx7]

I had a once a life time moment (it was about 30-40 seconds) and shook the hand of legend Cal Ripken Jr. at Disney World last year. I was absolutely star struck, and he was completely gracious to take a selfie with me! It was an honor and privilege to meet him in person! I remember looking up to him as a kid seeing his baseball posters throughout gym class in school growing up and even to this day he is an absolute positive roll model that I continue to admire! Thank you Cal for being an inspiration to me to this day and beyond! -Mike

[@ousamaabdu794]

It's sad that Cal and his brother who grew up in working class Aberdeen, MD are at the forefront of these expensive pay to play sports.. I really think Cal Sr would be a little saddened to see that smh

[@jo43723]

TLDR: because the bourgeoisie need somewhere to throw their money. i MeaN mAYbE mY KiD WilL PlaY iN tHE MLB wuuhhhh

[@bigzclipz5104]

The bourgeoisie are the ones that own the teams

[@arbaz79]

Baseball is dying

[@crimnvL]

this is why baseball is dead

[@danacoleman4007]

then why did it have its biggest year ever last year? and this year is projected to be even better

[@danacoleman4007]

it had its biggest year ever last year

[@steven.events]

Ripken is a legend. He's not ashamed to be bald. He's the Michael Jordan of white guys.

[@ezarc44]

Fuh awai x kalut 😂😂😂

[@ZootYoot]

Youth sport not being funded well in europe is hurting the sports here. It is all about making it but in the u.s you really figure youth sport can cash too

[@alpotato6531]

first

[@MichaelLoves2024]

Not only did you not reply first, the actual first reply had something to add to the argument...shame shame😂