Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 minutes ago
Youth sports should give children a chance to compete, build confidence and learn the value of teamwork. But for too many families, rising costs and growing commercialization are making it harder for kids to participate. I sat down with Tom Farrey for a conversation about how youth sports are changing and what can be done to ensure more children have the opportunity to play.
Tom is the founder and executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program and the creator of Project Play, an initiative focused on building youth sports systems that serve more children. Before joining the Aspen Institute, he was an award-winning investigative journalist at ESPN and wrote Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children.
In our discussion, we examine the rising cost of youth sports and the growing role of private investment in leagues, tournaments, facilities and technology. We also talk about how these changes are affecting families, limiting access and reshaping the experience for kids. It is an important conversation about keeping youth sports affordable, inclusive and focused on what is best for children.
Youth sports should give children a chance to compete, build confidence and learn the value of teamwork. But for too many families, rising costs and growing commercialization are making it harder for kids to participate. I sat down with Tom Farrey for a conversation about how youth sports are changing and what can be done to ensure more children have the opportunity to play.
Tom is the founder and executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program and the creator of Project Play, an initiative focused on building youth sports systems that serve more children. Before joining the Aspen Institute, he was an award-winning investigative journalist at ESPN and wrote Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children.
In our discussion, we examine the rising cost of youth sports and the growing role of private investment in leagues, tournaments, facilities and technology. We also talk about how these changes are affecting families, limiting access and reshaping the experience for kids. It is an important conversation about keeping youth sports affordable, inclusive and focused on what is best for children.
