Lever Time They Banned Parents From Recording Their Kids' Games. We Changed That.
Jan 16, 2026
In this discussion, investigative reporter Luke Goldstein explores the impact of private equity firms like Black Bear Sports Group on youth sports. He reveals how families were banned from recording their kids' hockey games, driving a national outcry. Luke shares parents' frustrations over rising fees and poor rink conditions. The episode highlights the consolidation of power in youth sports and its implications for access and tradition, culminating in a congressional hearing that seeks to address these issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Wall Street Invades Youth Sports
- Private investors are buying up youth sports facilities and changing mundane rituals like parents filming games.
- David Sirota and Luke Goldstein trace this trend to distant investors prioritizing profit over community access.
Senator's Offhand Remark Sparked The Probe
- Senator Chris Murphy described being told his child's team would be penalized for live-streaming games.
- Luke Goldstein used that remark as the spark to investigate Black Bear's policies and practices.
Recording Bans Linked To Proprietary Streaming
- Black Bear Sports Group owns dozens of rinks and enacted sweeping no-video policies in its rulebooks and contracts.
- Those policies tied recording bans to use of Black Bear's paid streaming service, Black Bear TV.