The rise in “pay-to-play” sports prices disadvantaged kids out of athletics

If you’ve noticed it’s costing more and more money for your child to play sports, you’re not alone.  In the past couple of decades, Colorado and the United States as a whole have seen growth in what is called pay-to-play sports.

Pay-to-play sports is exactly what it sounds like: families having to pay loads of money for their kids to play the sports they love.

Today, families spend, on average, over $800 a year on one child’s primary sport. For many competitive leagues, that number climbs into the thousands when you include travel, coaching, and equipment.

For example, the Colorado Rapids youth teams charge $2,000 a season, and their players are required to buy new jerseys every single season.

KGNU’s Aramis Loma Guzman sat down with University of Colorado Boulder associate professor Ever Figueroa to discuss the problems that arise from pay-to-play sports and private youth leagues.

KGNU also reported a story in March 2023 about Longmont Latinx Voices, an organization contributing to efforts to make playing sports less expensive for kids in Longmont, Colorado. Listen here.

This story aired on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring in-depth discussions on local news issues. Click here to listen to other episodes of the Morning Magazine.