Today, Explained

How private equity ate youth sports

September 8, 2026·25 min·4-min readnarrativenews
Podzilla Summary (4 min)
TLDR
Youth sports in America have transformed from community-based recreation into a $40 billion private equity-driven industry, pricing out many families and reshaping childhood athletics. The shift, accelerated by the pandemic, reveals deeper systemic issues tied to profit motives underminin

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Guest

M

Megan Greenwell

narrative on Today, Explained

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Caitlin MoscatelloMegan GreenwellNoel King

Books

Bad Company, Private Equity, and the Death of the American Dreamby Megan Greenwell

Companies

Bain CapitalKKRToys R Us

Topics

Business NewsCorporate StrategyInvestigative JournalismLong Form JournalismPolitical News

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