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House Education SubCmte Hearing: The Crisis in American Youth Sports

“Benched: The Crisis in American Youth Sports and Its Cost to Our Future” Committee: House Education and Workforce Subcommittee: House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education https://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=412894 The hearing focuses on the growing influence of private equity and financial consolidation in youth sports, the resulting surge in costs for families, declining access and participation, and the broader consequences for children's health, safety, and community life. This development highlights a systemic issue where youth sports, once seen as accessible and unifying, are increasingly becoming a financialized industry that excludes marginalized families. Rep. Tim Walberg, Submission for the Record The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Information https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118756/documents/HHRG-119-ED14-20251216-SD002.pdf Opening Statement: Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) Witnesses: Mr. Tom Farrey Executive Director, Sports & Society Program, Aspen Institute Mr. Steve Boyle Co-Founder & Executive Director, 2-4-1 Sports Ms. Katherine Van Dyck, J.D. Senior Fellow, American Economic Liberties Mr. John O’Sullivan Chief Executive Officer, Changing the Game Project Witness Stmts https://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=412894 NOTES https://search.brave.com/search?q=THE+CRISIS+IN+AMERICAN+YOUTH+SPORTS&source=desktop&conversation=420af783e9a8fe778c8821&summary=1 1. The crisis is driven by a "pay-to-play" model that has transformed youth sports into a $17 billion industry, larger than Major League Baseball and the NFL. This model has led to a significant decline in participation, particularly among low-income families, with only 25% of low-income boys participating in organized sports compared to 53% overall. 2. Youth soccer, a sport often considered accessible globally, exemplifies the problem in the U.S., where costs have risen sharply—from $537 annually in 2019 to $910 in 2024—making it unaffordable for many families. Parents report spending thousands on fees, travel, equipment, and tournaments, with some families forced to withdraw their children due to financial strain. 3. A major contributing factor is the commercialization and professionalization of youth sports, which has led to early specialization, burnout, and a loss of joy. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13, often due to pressure, lack of fun, and mental health strain. 4. The crisis is further exacerbated by the rise of the "Athletic Industrial Complex," where institutional philosophies prioritize performance, branding, and outcomes over development, character, and equity. This shift has created a system where access to sports and the American Dream are increasingly tied to wealth and institutional gatekeeping. 5. Experts and advocates are calling for systemic reform, including better mental health support, a shift from fear-based competition to intrinsic motivation, and the implementation of long-term athlete development models. Grassroots change, led by coaches and parents, is seen as essential to transforming the culture. ******************** Streamed by America Mission == https://x.com/AmericaMission\_ Treasury Department’s Dirty Trick on ‘No Tax on Tips’ https://americamission.com/treasury-departments-dirty-trick-on-no-tax-on-tips/ Vote for AM's Fight Against Federal Overreach Act (FAFO Act) https://forum.policiesforpeople.com/t/fight-against-federal-overreach-act-fafo-act/26118 Make America Your Mission 🛍️ Shop, Donate, Amplify Your Voice https://www.americamission.com/make-america-your-mission Find out where to #ShowUpAndShare https://linktr.ee/americamission ********************

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