(Photo courtesy of Rep. Deluzio)
( GREEN TREE, PA)Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) hosted a public field hearing called “Let Kids Play” on the rising cost of youth sports. Held at the Green Tree SportsPlex on an indoor field, he and a panel of experts shared their experiences and heard powerful public testimony from parents, coaches, local business owners, and interested community members.
In the past, non-profits like Little League Baseball ran kids’ sports leagues, sponsored by local businesses, social clubs, volunteer fire departments, and churches. Today, it’s often private equity and other big investors that are behind the leagues. More often than not—they are focused on profit more than community.
At today’s event, Western Pennsylvanians shared their experiences around the skyrocketing cost of kids’ sports and the impact it is having on young people, families, and the wider community.
“The rising cost of kids’ sports may seem like a small issue to talk about: but I think it says something bigger about America today,” said Congressman Deluzio. “In our country, sports are supposed to be a great equalizer—a place where any kid could show up, work hard, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Now we’re drifting away from that. Kids are getting priced out. Today, a family’s bank account too often decides whether that kid gets that shot, turning youth sports into a luxury item. That must end. That’s why I held this hearing today: to hear peoples’ experiences, and to hear what needs to change to keep this part of the American Dream alive for the next generation of kids.”
“Private equity has turned youth sports from a cherished past time into a profit extraction machine,” said Katherine Van Dyck, senior legal fellow with the American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) and panelist at the hearing. “There is an urgent need to listen to families, take on these firms, and stop their anti-competitive and predatory behavior. The field hearing held by Congressman Deluzio and the Monopoly Busters Caucus is an important step in that direction.”
“I’m honored to be a part of this conversation because the rising costs of youth sports was something that I lived every day for many years as a single mom doing everything I could to support my child’s passion and future as a competitive soccer player,” said panelist and parent Dr. Shannon Conner. “Once he moved into competitive club level soccer, the costs added up quickly. Club dues alone were significant, and monthly payment plans were the only way we were able to participate at all. And the dues were just the beginning. None of these expenses were optional if you wanted your child to stay competitive. Youth sports are supposed to promote health, teamwork, confidence, and opportunity. But when costs rise and access narrows, those benefits become reserved for families who can afford them—or who are willing to shoulder unsustainable financial strain. We must prioritize affordability, transparency, and access. No parent should have to choose between financial stability and giving their child the chance to play the sport they love.”
“I can tell you from firsthand experience that the cost of participating in youth sports, especially basketball, is rising at a pace that is unsustainable for many families,” said panelist Gino Palmosina, head basketball coach at Moon Area High School and owner of Win Today Basketball. “What used to be a local or regional experience has turned into a national business model. The reality is that families are already being squeezed. I’ve had conversations with parents who have multiple kids and cannot simply afford for all of them to participate anymore. That’s a major concern because youth sports should be about access, development, and community. The grassroots organizations that built youth sports in these communities are now competing against larger, well-funded entities that can absorb costs, control facilities, and dominate the tournament landscape. And the end of the day, kids just want to play. They want to learn, compete, and be part of a team. But if the costs continue to rise the way they have been, we’re going to lose a lot of those kids, and that’s something that—as a community—we cannot afford.”
Congressman Deluzio hosted this event as a field hearing for the Monopoly Busters Caucus, a caucus that he co-chairs in the Congress that looks into the way that consolidated corporate power is ripping off the American people. This is the caucus’ second field hearing, following one in Seattle, WA that focused on monopolies’ role in driving up the cost of groceries.
