Bipartisan support on US House panel for examining private equity in youth sports

Members of a U.S. House Education and Workforce subcommittee held a bipartisan hearing last week examining private equity's expanding role in youth sports. Lawmakers expressed concern that investment firms' acquisition of facilities and control of costs may limit access for low-income families, though they acknowledged private funding can also expand opportunities. Testimony highlighted that youth sports participation has grown increasingly stratified by income, with 45% participation among higher-income children versus 25% among low-income children in 2024.