This is a 9 Billion a year industry! Holy crap!
I have two kids in regular sports. It is a lot to keep up with for the practices and games and gear and fundraisers. It is expensive too! But this is on a whole other level. I feel for these kids. It seems they are having adult pressures put on them to perform and not getting enough time to just be kids.
I have an extended family member who has been thru this exact scenario. Playing club softball since she was 10 years old. Now a sophomore in college. She did get a partial scholarship to play for a major university. But in the collegiate level the pressures are even more intense to perform. Couple that with the regular stresses of a college education. It could be too much.
What kind of toll does this take on the kids longterm social, physical and mental health?
What do you guys think?
Original "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" segment below.
Love Always,