The Varsity How Youth Sports Went Pro
Jan 4, 2026
Ken Belson, a veteran New York Times sports business reporter, dives into the booming $40 billion youth sports industry. He reveals how private equity has transformed youth athletics, pressuring families with skyrocketing costs. The discussion touches on the mental health challenges kids face as they become prospects under parental scrutiny. Ken also highlights the need for national coordination and equitable funding in youth sports, along with the NFL's efforts to maintain a pipeline for future players.
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Youth Sports Is Now Big Business
- Youth sports have become a large, fragmented business attracting private equity and media interest.
- Ken Belson estimates a sprawling ecosystem worth roughly $40 billion driven by facilities, merchandise, and data.
Money Raises Expectations And Prices
- Money is accelerating expectations and creating a sticky market as parents chase perceived returns.
- Investors and premium facilities raise costs and reshape youth sports into a paid experience rather than casual play.
Social Media Amplifies Pressure
- Social media exposes and amplifies kids' performances and stats in real time.
- That visibility can damage children by creating permanent records and excessive benchmarking.
