A look at the economics, ethics, and equity
Human nature makes it difficult to acknowledge deficiencies or inadequacies about what we like or love when it conflicts with what we want to believe. Such is the case with me and youth sports.
The harsh reality is that, while youth sports are celebrated and considered a must-have in most communities, youth sports also have their downsides. We simply need to keep our eyes and hearts open to the realities, as well as the possibilities and disadvantages.
Among the most consequential issues associated with youth sports today are economic assumptions involving taxpayer investments (subsidies). This is not to suggest that youth sports should not receive any taxpayer support. To the contrary. What is at question is the degree to which investments are made based upon incomplete or inaccurate claims, or based upon social pressure. This has led to youth-sports facility development and program-planning decisions which have, in certain cases, had significant consequences for communities across the country. These include:
- Subsidy (taxpayer) investment in youth-sports facility-development projects, presupposing a return on investment that is based on economic-development interests
- High subsidies gifted to youth sports in comparison to other types of activities/services that may serve a greater common good
- Divisions that have resulted from economic disparities in many communities in terms of who participates in youth sports and who does not.
Economically, we now live in a vastly different day and age than we did just two years ago. Inflation is at a 40-year high with no signs of slowing, and its effects are not limited to individuals and families. Organizations are likely already feeling the effects of inflation, including diminished purchasing power and elevated supply, equipment, and labor costs. That means basic expenses of youth sports, like turf maintenance and trash removal, are or soon will be more costly. In addition, interest rates are increasing, so for every debt assumed, it will cost more to repay. Simply put, if we are not paying cash for that brand-spanking new facility, we should prepare for the debt load and total payment to be higher.
It is time that we ask these fundamental questions regarding youth sports and answer them with both our hearts and our minds.
- Are economic-development interests clouding sound judgment?
- When is enough, enough?
- Who is really benefiting from investments made in youth sports today?