Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Landon Donovan, a former US soccer star, has spoken out about the high costs of participating in youth sports, which he believes is preventing talented players from developing. Donovan shared his own experience of relying on outside benefactors to play club soccer as a child, as his single mother couldn’t afford the $4,000 fee. A recent Aspen Institute report found that youth sports costs have increased by 46% from 2019 to 2025, with some travel soccer leagues costing families up to $15,000 per year. Experts argue that the current system is not focused on developing young talent, but rather on making money for adults.
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The numbers tell one story.
Landon Donovan’s warning about the high costs of youth sports is not just about soccer, but about the broader issue of accessibility in American sports. The fact that Donovan’s mother couldn’t afford the $4,000 club soccer fee, and that he relied on outside benefactors to play, highlights the problem. The 46% increase in youth sports costs from 2019 to 2025 is a stark reminder of the issue. The involvement of private equity firms in youth sports, such as EQT’s acquisition of IMG Academy, raises concerns about pricing out families. Donovan’s own experience at IMG Academy, where he was supported by the U-17 national team’s residency program, shows that there are alternative models for developing young talent.
Author: Evan Null
