Startup Dad

Money And Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports - And What To Do About It | Linda Flanagan (Mom of 3, Author, Journalist, Coach)

Aug 22, 2024

Linda Flanagan, a freelance journalist, former coach, and author of 'Take Back The Game', discusses the troubling trends in youth sports today. She shares insights on the growing obsession with performance fueled by money and high stakes, and the impact of NIL on young athletes. Flanagan emphasizes the importance of joy in sports, advocating for a multi-sport approach and community-driven initiatives. She also reflects on parenting dynamics, urging parents to support their children's interests without succumbing to competitiveness.

59:06

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Episode guests

Linda Flanagan

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Quick takeaways

Linda Flanagan highlights the damaging impact of commercialization on youth sports, leading to financial barriers and increased pressure on families.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of allowing children to lead their sports interests, promoting healthier participation without parental overwhelming expectations.

Research supports the benefits of multi-sport participation over early specialization, suggesting it fosters long-term athletic development and decreases burnout risks.

Deep dives

The Pressure of Youth Sports

Youth sports have transformed into a highly competitive environment driven by external pressures from parents, coaches, and societal expectations. Parents often place undue emphasis on achievement, aiming to enhance their child’s college prospects rather than fostering their enjoyment. This over-investment can suppress children's natural desire to engage in sports, turning play into a stressful obligation. Consequently, many children may lose interest in sports altogether due to a lack of intrinsic motivation and the overwhelming pressure to perform.

Intro

2min

Reflections on Childhood and Parenting Dynamics

2min

Reevaluating Youth Sports Culture

18min

The Impact of NIL on Youth Sports

13min

Revitalizing Youth Sports Through Community Engagement

3min

The Financial Divide in Youth Sports: Challenges and Frustrations

2min

Navigating Youth Sports in the Digital Age

16min

Navigating Parenting Challenges

4min

Linda Flanagan is a freelance journalist, researcher, and former cross-country and track coach. She is the author of numerous articles on youth sports and the book Take Back The Game - How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports—And Why It Matters. She is a founding board member of the NYC chapter of the Positive Coaching Alliance and her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Runner’s World and NPR’s Mindshift. In addition to being a lifelong athlete she’s also the mother of three grown children. In our conversation today we discussed:

* The inspiration behind Take Back The Game

* The role of her father in her life as an athlete and how that shaped her perspective on sports

* The differences between fathers and mothers and their impact on daughter participation in sports

* The key changes in how youth sports have transformed with the influence of money and increasingly high stakes

* Changes in family dynamics and parental expectations; the influence of the Name Image and Likeness rules (or NIL)

* Early sports specialization and its effect on children’s physical and mental health

* How to make sports fun again

* Success stories in communities implementing positive change in youth sports

* Advice to parents who want to support their children’s athletic interests without falling into the mania

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Where to find Linda Flanagan

* Website: https://lindaflanaganauthor.com/

* X: https://x.com/lindaflanagan2

* IG: https://www.instagram.com/Lindaflanagan_author/

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:51] Welcome

[2:15] Childhood

[3:26] Linda’s Kids

[3:57] Coaching career

[4:52] Realization that kid’s sports needed reform

[8:06] What role did Linda’s father play in her athletics?

[11:32] Differences between fathers and mother’s impacting daughters in sports

[13:07] Key changes in sports regarding money

[21:33] NIL - Name, Image and Likeness

[25:05] Early sports specialization

[29:43] Alternatives to specialization

[33:56] Organizations that have implemented positive change

[39:11] Role of tech and media on sports

[42:43] Role of coaches

[44:26] Advice for parents

[50:28] Changes for the next decade

[53:01] Where to find Linda

[54:33] Rapid fire / Lightning round

[58:22] Thank you

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Show references:

Take Back the Game, How Money and Mania are Ruining Kids Sports and Why it Matters by Linda Flanagan: https://www.amazon.com/Take-Back-Game-Ruining-Sports/dp/059332904X

ESPN Wide World of Sports: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/wide-world-of-sports/

NIL: https://iconsource.com/what-is-nil/

NFHS: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/

Families and Sport Lab at Utah State, Travis Dorsch: https://cehs.usu.edu/families-in-sport-lab/people/faculty/travis-dorsch

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein: https://www.amazon.com/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World/dp/0735214484

Tiger Woods: https://tigerwoods.com/

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036

Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy: https://letgrow.org/free-chapter/

Peter Gray (professor at BC): https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/psychology-neuroscience/people/affiliated-and-emeritus/peter-gray.html

Jason Targoff: https://www.cambridgeyouthsoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1309964&mid=1365147&newskeyid=HN1&newsid=437883&ctl=newsdetail

Pick up Sports App: https://pickupsports.co/pages/app-1

Steve Magnus: https://www.stevemagness.com/

Ferber Method: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep/ferber-method

WSJ article, When Junior Heads to College, Helicopter Parents Turn to Empty-Nest Coaches: https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/helicopter-parents-empty-nest-coaches-868b5600

Wizard of Oz: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/

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Startup Dad

Money And Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports - And What To Do About It | Linda Flanagan (Mom of 3, Author, Journalist, Coach)

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Pressure of Youth Sports

Financial Influence on Youth Sports

Parental Role and Influence

Specialization vs. Generalization in Sports

Creating a Positive Sports Culture

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts