Youth sports programs, once community-based, have become a privatized $40 billion industry

NPR | By Ayesha Rascoe

Published August 30, 2026 at 8:02 AM EDT

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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with journalist Caitlin Moscatello about the privatization of youth sports, an industry with annual revenues of more than $40 billion.

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Ayesha Rascoe

Ayesha Rascoe is the host of Weekend Edition Sunday and the Saturday episodes of Up First.

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Youth sports programs, once community-based, have become a privatized $40 billion industry

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.