Pp and re-reading it, I think the $10 billion figure is actually what individual families are spending on youth sports in the US.

Many, many parents must be spending these amounts. According to this article, $10 BILLION was spent on youth sports alone in 2016 (think must include the building of massive sports centers). Individual spending has increased 10% (!) in the last two years.

I’m starting to think if my kids want megabucks they should skip college and get involved in the youth sports industry!

At these numbers, it cannot be only the wealthy who are participating in $ youth sports. The truly wealthy don’t bother. That leaves a whole swath of middle and UMC families participating.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2017-07-31/communities-banking-on-mega-youth-sports-complexes

Anonymous wrote:For those posters where the money is a sacrifice - will you be upset if your child up and quits the activity one day or chooses not to pursue in college?

After high school, I never picked up an instrument again that I took private lessons for and spent much of my family’s time and effort pursuing. I’m feeling bad about that now after reading these posts.

Not at all. I'm glad my children are pursuing things that interest them, and their pursuit now is paying off in many different ways. I don't expect my kids to play competitive sports in college, much less beyond. But for now, they get great friendships, wonderful exercise, and lots of fun.
I hope my children continue with their artistic and musical pursuits into their adulthoods, but that's more because I see what joy it brings them now, not based on any costs supporting them is incurring.

swimming is cheap, ice skating is not. I think you can go slowly and just do the group classes for awhile.

My niece's volleyball was around 1k/mo between club fees and travel, and you basically had to be on the club team to get the experience to keep up with the high school team.

All of the sports add up, but I think horseback riding and skating are the highest.

For those posters where the money is a sacrifice - will you be upset if your child up and quits the activity one day or chooses not to pursue in college?

After high school, I never picked up an instrument again that I took private lessons for and spent much of my family’s time and effort pursuing. I’m feeling bad about that now after reading these posts.

Anonymous wrote:So only the top 1%-10% families can even have kids competing in some of these expensive sports? I would never say the child getting private skating lessons and training isn’t good at figure skating, but there can only be so many kids even wealthy enough to compete—and those that are, how much is it about natural talent and how much is it about the amount of money parents are willing to throw at a sport?

That is the norm, but there are always exceptions. For example, look at Tonya Harding in figure skating.

Anonymous wrote:It is, however, an option to do things cheaply. You can do competitive club lacrosse without spending 6K.

Not much less than that, though. A club team will cost $3k. You'll go to four tournaments a year and spend $500 each time on gas, food, and hotel.

And that club definitely isn't MadLax where they milk the parents for thousands.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So only the top 1%-10% families can even have kids competing in some of these expensive sports? I would never say the child getting private skating lessons and training isn’t good at figure skating, but there can only be so many kids even wealthy enough to compete—and those that are, how much is it about natural talent and how much is it about the amount of money parents are willing to throw at a sport?

We live in a small house, drive older cars and live under our means. Its all about priorities. We have the money available because of the choices we make. We are far from wealthy.

We're the same. And we didn't make the choices because we were intending to sacrifice for activities, we just live a modest life. When it turned out our kids were interested in things and we could afford to support them in them, it made sense to do so.

It is, however, an option to do things cheaply. You can do competitive club lacrosse without spending 6K. You can do competitive swim without spending 6K. You can support a musician without spending 6K. If you don't have the money it's not like your kids can't pursue things. But if you do, you don't have to tell them that can't have that second lesson a week, or can't travel to that intensive weekend training, and so on.

Are you all also saving $ for college in case kid does not get scholarship money - or are you fairly certain in these situations that some scholarship money is certain? Do coaches or other advisors give you a reasonable prediction of what you can expect?

Anonymous wrote:Those of who spend more than 6k per child, what’s your NW and HHI? I dont think we can afford it. One is seriously interested in ice skating and the other in swimming. Already at 4k+ this year for swimming. Haven’t calculated the other. I can’t justify it.

Its about choices. Most people who claim they cannot afford it can but would prefer newer cars, nicer house and great vacations.

Anonymous wrote:So only the top 1%-10% families can even have kids competing in some of these expensive sports? I would never say the child getting private skating lessons and training isn’t good at figure skating, but there can only be so many kids even wealthy enough to compete—and those that are, how much is it about natural talent and how much is it about the amount of money parents are willing to throw at a sport?

We live in a small house, drive older cars and live under our means. Its all about priorities. We have the money available because of the choices we make. We are far from wealthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are between $25-30K yearly for figure skating, so it sounds like a bargain to me! The majority goes to coaching as it’s all individually coached. She does around four half hour lessons a week and coaches are $100/hr. Ice time and travel make up the majority of the rest.

Choreography, costumes, ballet, strength training.

BTDT. A beautiful sport but so expensive

around the same for a Competitive acrobat - $20k to $25k per year. Competitive leotards, choreography, and travel, including international travel, make up the majority of the costs. But, things like privates, paying for transportation to practice five to six times a week, and gym fees also add up.

Those of who spend more than 6k per child, what’s your NW and HHI? I dont think we can afford it. One is seriously interested in ice skating and the other in swimming. Already at 4k+ this year for swimming. Haven’t calculated the other. I can’t justify it.

Around $15k a year for two kids in fencing which covers classes and private lessons. Doesn’t include $ for fees/travel/lodging for tournaments or summer camp. Kids enjoy it and are pretty good at it, so I feel it’s worth it.

Anonymous wrote:So only the top 1%-10% families can even have kids competing in some of these expensive sports? I would never say the child getting private skating lessons and training isn’t good at figure skating, but there can only be so many kids even wealthy enough to compete—and those that are, how much is it about natural talent and how much is it about the amount of money parents are willing to throw at a sport?

If it gets them into a D1 college with $$$ it is both, nobody is playing in college without serious athletic talent.

If it is to get them into a highly academic college, you need money and be pretty good at sports.

It's not fair, plain and simple.