Is Sports Losing Popularity?
The short answer is yes, both youth sports and professional leagues are facing threats on multiple fronts from rising technology use to safety concerns leading to declines in participation. However, sports remain hugely popular as both entertainment as well as developmental tools for kids. And by learning from past mistakes and innovating, they can stay integral to American society.
Alarming Trends in Youth Sports Participation
Over the past decade, there has been an almost 10% decline in kids ages 6-12 playing team sports on a regular basis, according to data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). Baseball and tackle football have seen the sharpest drops, believed to be driven by concerns over concussions and other injuries.
In fact, 70% of kids will have quit playing organized sports by age 13, according to multiple surveys. The number one reason given for why they quit is it‘s just not fun anymore.
As both a former player and long-time coach, I‘ve witnessed firsthand how youth sports have changed over the past 20 years. In speaking with other coaches and parents, these are the most common factors we see driving kids to lose interest or burn out on sports at earlier ages:
High intensity play. Kids specialize early and face tryouts and cuts starting as young as 6 or 7. This added competition places stress on them and makes it feel more like a job than fun.
Lack of free play. Where previous generations played pick-up games for hours after school, today‘s youth are over-scheduled or opt to play video games and scroll TikTok for entertainment. This decrease in free play hampers their development.
Rising costs. Youth sports is a $19 billion industry. What used to be a relatively cheap recreational activity now can cost thousands in equipment, travel team fees and private coaching.
Greater injury risk. Poor training habits like excessive pitch counts in baseball and full-contact practices in football take a toll on still developing bodies. Fear of concussions also scares parents from enrolling their kids.
The pressure for year-round participation focused on a single sport funnels kids into a high stress, high cost and high injury risk system. It should come as little surprise that a majority burn out and turn to other interests where they can have more fun for less cost and risk.
Professional Sports Leagues Face Threats As Well
The challenges facing youth sports are mirrored at the professional level to a degree as well. Leagues like the NFL and MLB have seen viewership declines over the past decade, especially amongst younger audiences.
The NFL is still far and away the most watched league in the U.S. But after years of steady growth, ratings fell nearly 10 percent this past season. Critics argue flagging interest is due to everything from kneeling protests to concerns over concussions and domestic violence arrests. However, broader shifts in media consumption habits especially amongst younger fans are likely a bigger driver.
MLB has struggled to captivate younger fans for even longer. Their average viewer is now 57. Baseball enjoyed a bump in interest during the 90shome run explosion. But over the past decade, they have seen primetime TV ratings fall a staggering 40 percent. Their in-stadium attendance numbers declined 15 of the last 16 years prior to the pandemic.
The younger generations of digital natives simply consume sports differently than their parents. They are cutting cable cords and instead accessing entertainment through online streaming and on-demand options. And they have countless competing options including video games like Fortnite and Call of Duty as well as real-time online sports betting.
Leagues know they need to capture the next generation of fans. And they face stiff competition from other sports like basketball, soccer and esports that skew toward younger demographics.
Steps Sports Can Take to Stay Relevant
There‘s no denying the storm clouds gathering over sports at all levels. But the key is to accept the parts of sports culture that are obsolete and focus on the positives it can still provide to both fans and youth participants.
As someone who grew up playing little league baseball and high school football, sports taught me so many valuable life lessons about hard work, resilience and being part of a team. The same can still be true for this generation after some modernizing upgrades including:
| Sport | Potential Changes |
|---|---|
| Youth Baseball/Softball | – Rewards-based leagues for 5-7 year olds focused only on fun and fundamentals – Free intro seasons to hook parents before any fees – Seeing pitch clocks and limits on pitch counts for arms |
| Youth Football | – Move to flag football before age 12 with no contact – Laws limiting contact practices to 1-2 days a week – Training coaches to keep winning and losses in perspective |
| Pro Leagues | – Optimizing streaming and rules to match pace and length of esports – Daily fantasy sports and sportsbook integrations – Revamping in-stadium experience with 5G, AR and new camera views |
For youth sports to thrive, the focus needs to return to having fun first and fundamentals second. Winning and skills development can slowly be layered on as kids hit 10+ but only if a passion for the game takes root.
Professional leagues also can‘t fear change and need to lean into innovations their entertainment startup rivals embrace daily. That means optimized streaming, integrated gambling, better in-game enhancements leveraging 5G networks and augmented reality.
I believe we‘ll see participation in both youth team sports rebound post-pandemic as screens lose their luster and kids yearn for real-world connections. And the trajectory for pro viewership can bounce back if leagues stay humble and put fans first versus maximal profits.
Sports still has way too much talent and potential to lose fans for good. Like any good coach, they simply need to take an honest look at their performance, learn from mistakes and practice relentlessly on improving weak spots. Do that along with remembering the joy that sports brings, and the winning formula can propel baseball, football and more to championships for decades to come.
