Washington, D.C. — Following news that Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Chris Deluzio today introduced the Let Kids Play Act, a bill that would ban private equity and predatory financial practices in youth sports, the American Economic Liberties Project released the following statement.

“Private equity has transformed youth sports from a public good into a profit center, with children and families paying the price,” said Katherine Van Dyck, Senior Legal Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project. “The Let Kids Play Act goes after their vulture practices with conviction — banning the consolidation, debt loading, and asset stripping that have hollowed out local clubs; eliminating the liability shields that protect the worst actors while leaving communities in the dust; and giving public and private enforcers the tools to hold them accountable.”

“Families deserve to enjoy youth sports without emptying their bank accounts. This bill makes that possible,” Van Dyck, who published a paper on this issue last month, added.

The Let Kids Play Act was introduced along with House companion legislation led by Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) and co-led by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Pat Ryan (D-NY), and Angie Craig (D-MN), co-chairs of the Monopoly Buster Caucus.

Youth sports, once a cherished cornerstone of American communities, have been transformed into a $40 billion industry. Its revenue is roughly equal to that of the NFL and all of college athletics combined. Indeed, the average cost of a child’s primary sport has risen 46% since 2019, landing families with an annual bill of over $1,000 per sport. As of 2024, low-income children played sports at almost half the rate of children from families earning $100,000 or more. Youth sports are rapidly turning into a luxury good.

Private equity giants are behind the squeeze. In the world of youth hockey, Blackstreet Capital-backed Black Bear Sports Group has rolled up rinks across the Northeast, with lesson prices quadrupling to $200 after some takeovers. The group is now under investigation by the Michigan attorney general. Juggernaut Capital-backed 3STEP Sports, which runs operations across seven youth sports, has explicitly stated its “competitive edge rests on a vertical integration strategy that combines club operations, tournament platforms, facility relationships, and sponsorship deals into a far-reaching nationwide network of opportunities for athletes and teams.” And, while not technically PE-backed, Perfect Game uses a similar M&A strategy in youth baseball, while also controlling streaming rights, scouting technology, merchandise, and facility ownership — all holding families financially hostage.

The Let Kids Play Act addresses private equity’s predatory practices against families in several ways:

• Removes vulture investors from youth sports: The bill automatically bans private equity groups engaged in exploitative practices from operating in youth sports — unless they can demonstrate a clean record —  with existing ownership or control fully divested within two years.
• Creates family reimbursement requirements: The legislation requires private equity to fully refund unfair junk fees, cancel their predatory contracts, and eliminate any remaining debts, interest, and penalties these firms imposed on families.
• Ensures accountability for harm and obligations: Private equity owners will be made financially responsible for debts, legal judgments, and any violations of law—including child safety and labor protections—occurring under their management.
• Establishes a Youth Sports Fund: All fines and recovered funds from these firms will be directed into a dedicated public fund to expand scholarships, lower participation costs, and preserve free access to community athletic facilities.
• Gives families and states enforcement power: The bill empowers parents and state governments to take legal action to stop abusive practices and recover damages caused by exploitative business conduct in youth sports.

Read our full report, “The Fair Play Façade: How the American Sports Economy Became a Laboratory for Corporate Power, From Pee Wee to the Pros,” here.

Learn more about Economic Liberties here.