How Private Equity Ruined American Youth Sports

15 insights saved from this video by @money

@money
Youth sports hyper-specialization burns children out, while results-driven competition leaves too many children behind.
@money
Fewer than 6% of youth volleyball players compete in college, and only about 1.2% reach Division I.
@money
Starting club volleyball at 12 can mean six additional seasons costing about $11,500 each.
@money
Seventy percent of US children quit organized sports by age 13, losing physical, educational, and developmental benefits.
@money
A typical competitive club volleyball season costs nearly $11,500 after four expensive tournament weekends and roughly $3,500 in dues.
@money
Youth sports optimized for wins, winners, and revenue produce worse outcomes for participation, player development, public health, and national sporting performance.
@money
Without sports, children are more likely to develop negative perceptions of themselves.
@money
Private-equity investors depend on youth volleyball’s grassroots business and have an incentive to increase club dues.
@money
League One Volleyball has attracted nearly $200 million in funding from private-equity firms and other investors.
@money
Norway's youth-sports model prioritizes enjoyment and the desire to improve over results, scores, and rankings.
@money
Even profitable American sports such as baseball rarely fund youth development. Families pay travel-team costs to keep pace.
@money
Youth sports in the United States are a $40 billion annual sector growing 8–10% every year.
@money
League One Volleyball presents its youth-club network as women’s empowerment and a path that makes pro volleyball feel attainable.
@money
Families often receive a club volleyball price tag without a clear breakdown of where their money goes.
@money
The United States has the talent. Access barriers keep it from reaching the highest levels.

More from Wendover Productions

See everything from Wendover Productions

Post on X

Keep what you found in How Private Equity Ruined American Youth Sports

A free account saves any of these cards to your Collection, and Korva resurfaces them so you actually remember.