What's a bigger racket? Youth sports or uniforms/apparel?

[castleview]

Kind of a rhetorical question. But we recently did an out of state tournament for the first time (probably last too) and I'm still in amazement at what a moneymaker kids' sports have become...and how much money parents are willing to spend.

 

[Southernmiss]

Kind of a rhetorical question. But we recently did an out of state tournament for the first time (probably last too) and I'm still in amazement at what a moneymaker kids' sports have become...and how much money parents are willing to spend.

I've come to accept it, but it's taken a while. it is mind boggling when you think about what an industry kids activities have become. Not only is it the activity itself, but the paid staff and referees or umpires and then all the travel, lodging and meals out.

We've had three sons and a daughter play soccer with some travel involved. Dd is becoming pretty good and has been encouraged to play on a travel team. I've been dragging my heals because I've thought the expenses for a kid's sport were ridiculous. I'm afraid I'm about to cave.

It's been palatable thus far because dh and our 4 kids all referee. So at least our trips are covered by what they make.

But the above can be said for soccer, swimming, gymnastics baseball, etc.

 

[sam_gordon]

Kind of a rhetorical question. But we recently did an out of state tournament for the first time (probably last too) and I'm still in amazement at what a moneymaker kids' sports have become...and how much money parents are willing to spend.

Couldn't you say the same thing about adult sports (professional)?

My kids have all done travel sports. DD#1 did softball, DS and DD#2 are currently in soccer. Is it expensive? Yes. But we do it because the kids enjoy it.

Yes, they could play in the local rec league, but I don't think they'd enjoy that as much (I could be wrong). They are "better than average". DD#1 dropped out of softball when she couldn't keep up any longer.

And no, we don't do this for a college scholarship. We do it because the kids enjoy it, they get a LOT of exercise, and they're challenged.

 

[joannamet]

My daughter's soccer club is non-profit so although their club and tournament fees are high I feel confident that the money is going into facility fees and coaching. They just went over the budget in the last parent meeting.

I'd be curious to know how many other youth sports clubs are non-profit.

 

[tvguy]

My son was offered a slot on a traveling USSSA 13 year old baseball team back in 2000. The estimated out of pocket per player was $7,500. They did win the World Series that year, but the schedule and money were just out of the question for us.

 

[Southernmiss]

My daughter's soccer club is non-profit so although their club and tournament fees are high I feel confident that the money is going into facility fees and coaching. They just went over the budget in the last parent meeting.

I'd be curious to know how many other youth sports clubs are non-profit.

Our clubs are non-profit. Really wouldn't think that there were many clubs for any kid activity in our state that were for profit.

It's the other stuff that costs so much.

 

[tvguy]

Our clubs are non-profit. Really wouldn't think that there were many clubs for any kid activity in our state that were for profit.

It's the other stuff that costs so much.

The clubs here are non-profit. It's all the $75 an hour hitting, fielding, and pitching coaches that are for profit.

 

[WorldWacky]

My son was offered a slot on a traveling USSSA 13 year old baseball team back in 2000. The estimated out of pocket per player was $7,500. They did win the World Series that year, but the schedule and money were just out of the question for us.

Wow! That's a heck of a price. DD1 plays for a travel lacrosse team. We have a lot of travel lax in our area and chose to have her tryout for her particular team because of how they run their program. It's not just a "money maker" team. They keep the out of state tournaments to one or possibly two for the younger girls. As they get older, they travel out of state more. Some of the teams around here are VERY expensive and the parents complain about traveling every weekend out of state only to play other Long Island teams! But still, people pay the big bucks to have their children play for certain teams because of the name. It's a big racket around here, but just like Disney, as long as people keep paying the big bucks...

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Couldn't you say the same thing about adult sports (professional)?

My kids have all done travel sports. DD#1 did softball, DS and DD#2 are currently in soccer. Is it expensive? Yes. But we do it because the kids enjoy it.

Yes, they could play in the local rec league, but I don't think they'd enjoy that as much (I could be wrong). They are "better than average". DD#1 dropped out of softball when she couldn't keep up any longer.

And no, we don't do this for a college scholarship. We do it because the kids enjoy it, they get a LOT of exercise, and they're challenged.

Agreed. My son is in travel baseball, and I don't even want to think about how much we've paid out in fees and travel expenses this year alone. He loves it, he gets to spend every weekend hanging out in hotels with his friends, we love watching him play, AND getting to know the other baseball families. Some parents have this grandiose idea that their child will be starting for the Yankees right out of college, but for us, we understand that while DS is good, this is just an extracurricular. We're not expecting to get back anything.

The team went to Disney last year. With that package, my entire family of 5 was able to go, DS stayed in a room with teammates, the other 4 of us in a hotel room right near the team, and we paid a much cheaper price with the youth sports package plus 6D Hoppers than we would have paid if we booked it ourselves. I'm not saying the tournament fees, uniforms, equipment, aren't expensive, but when you hear quotes in the high thousands, it's usually including trips and hotels. You are paying for the experience. Obviously the coach could have found tournaments closer than Florida. The team and parents were interested in Disney.

As far as apparel, DS and all his buddies seem to NEED to purchase the tournament shirt at every single tournament. He should be good on T-Shirts when school starts.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Our clubs are non-profit. Really wouldn't think that there were many clubs for any kid activity in our state that were for profit.

It's the other stuff that costs so much.

Ours are non-profit and the coaches are unpaid. MOST tournaments we go to are put on by other youth organizations and are fundraisers for them. Just a few are put on by professional organizations like Ripken or Disney.

 

[soccerdad72]

I think I know what the OP is referring to, especially when it comes to apparel. Both my boys play club soccer and fortunately, their two clubs are relatively basic when it comes to uniform requirements - jersey, alternate jersey, shorts and socks, plus a practice shirt. Everything else is optional.

Other clubs, however, require hundreds of dollars of gear - one, in particular, requires all their players to buy two uniforms, plus a full warmup outfit, personalized bag and a couple other things. It can get crazy.

While my kids don't play baseball, a lot of their friends do and that sport seems to go over the top when it comes to apparel - multiple uniforms that look like they're right out of the major leagues, plus equipment bags, etc. Plus, when you figure that kids grow out of the stuff each year (and it's all personalized, so you can't hand it down to anyone), it has to get crazy expensive.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I think I know what the OP is referring to, especially when it comes to apparel. Both my boys play club soccer and fortunately, their two clubs are relatively basic when it comes to uniform requirements - jersey, alternate jersey, shorts and socks, plus a practice shirt. Everything else is optional.

Other clubs, however, require hundreds of dollars of gear - one, in particular, requires all their players to buy two uniforms, plus a full warmup outfit, personalized bag and a couple other things. It can get crazy.

While my kids don't play baseball, a lot of their friends do and that sport seems to go over the top when it comes to apparel - multiple uniforms that look like they're right out of the major leagues, plus equipment bags, etc. Plus, when you figure that kids grow out of the stuff each year (and it's all personalized, so you can't hand it down to anyone), it has to get crazy expensive.

Ah yes....DS has 4 new uniforms this year (we pay for that as part of our fees), as well as new helmets, and new bags. What's even worse is that the coaches moved the team this year to a new organization, so all the crap we bought last year, including parent spirit wear, is now all the wrong team/color.

 

[soccerdad72]

What's even worse is that the coaches moved the team this year to a new organization, so all the crap we bought last year, including parent spirit wear, is now all the wrong team/color.

Seems like that happens a lot in baseball. Friends of ours had their son on three different clubs in three years -- all basically the same players, just playing under a different club. Any idea why that happens so much?

 

[NotUrsula]

In our case, it's the uniforms/apparel FOR the team sport that is a rip-off. The folks who are in charge of our skating team have an *in* with one of the local dance shops and buy all the warm-ups an costumes through them, which they say nets us a 25% discount. You *have* to have the official clothes, and that's the only acceptable place to get them.

Issue is, the same brands are available at other stores and online for at least 30% less than that store charges, so their "discount" really is a rip-off.
I've tried to protest that it should be done by bid, but I don't want to push too far, because I suspect that my child would be subtly punished for it.

 

[okeydokey]

In out town it is the karate studio that is the money maker. It seems they "test" the kids to the next level very frequently, which requires a testing fee and then when they make it (and they always do) a new belt, set of equipment etc.

 

[SC Minnie]

You should look at dance. I would hate to add up all the money I spent for DD to take dance lessons, shoes, leotards, tights, costumes for Christmas AND end of year recitals, AND competition. She only did competition one year. I probably spent at least $3000 a year for regular old dance lessons for 10 years. DD enjoyed it and that's all that really matters.

 

[jackilvsmath]

In the same boat as the previous poster with dance. Shoes, tights, costumes, recital, competition fees, choreography fees, class fees, travel expenses, warm up outfit. This year only one DD did dance and with 8 dances and a solo it was pricy. She LOVES it and has grown so confident, has a strong work ethic, and knows how to work in a team. These are all things that dance has strengthened in her!

 

[castleview]

You should look at dance. I would hate to add up all the money I spent for DD to take dance lessons, shoes, leotards, tights, costumes for Christmas AND end of year recitals, AND competition. She only did competition one year. I probably spent at least $3000 a year for regular old dance lessons for 10 years. DD enjoyed it and that's all that really matters.

I come from a dance/gymnastics background and at least with dance, I know that up front. Soccer has been wonderful for my kids, but it almost seems like there are more hidden costs (and drama) in it then there is gymnastics. Or maybe I just haven't been around gym in a while

I think I know what the OP is referring to, especially when it comes to apparel. Both my boys play club soccer and fortunately, their two clubs are relatively basic when it comes to uniform requirements - jersey, alternate jersey, shorts and socks, plus a practice shirt. Everything else is optional.

Other clubs, however, require hundreds of dollars of gear - one, in particular, requires all their players to buy two uniforms, plus a full warmup outfit, personalized bag and a couple other things. It can get crazy.

While my kids don't play baseball, a lot of their friends do and that sport seems to go over the top when it comes to apparel - multiple uniforms that look like they're right out of the major leagues, plus equipment bags, etc. Plus, when you figure that kids grow out of the stuff each year (and it's all personalized, so you can't hand it down to anyone), it has to get crazy expensive.

Exactly. Our baseball team is actually the worst requiring a bunch of stuff. What ticks me off is that registration fees went up to cover these things.

 

[jrmasm]

In my experience, the biggest racket is hotels at tournaments. When you are required to book thru the tournament's travel agent and if you don't stay at your assigned hotel, your team is required to forfeit. These rates are always higher than you can book on your own.

 

[drinkme]

My daughter's soccer club is non-profit so although their club and tournament fees are high I feel confident that the money is going into facility fees and coaching. They just went over the budget in the last parent meeting. I'd be curious to know how many other youth sports clubs are non-profit.

I didn't realize that there are traveling teams that were non-profit. Our club's coaches are paid. As are pretty much all the clubs in our area. We aren't looking for a college scholarship from this. We just want our son to play varsity in high school. In our area if the kid didn't play club then they will be sitting on the bench in high school.