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SALT LAKE CITY — Many families dream of their children playing college sports or even moving on to professional leagues. Unfortunately, the chances are slim and the path is full of hidden costs.
It's not uncommon for families to spend $4,000 to $5,000 a year on sports. The author of "The Most Expensive Game in Town," Mark Hyman, says let your child take the lead so you are not wasting money on sports they don't enjoy.
"Give your child exposure to different sports when they are small, and gauge which ones they enjoy the most and which they want to do again next year," he suggested.
Hyman says you may know the cost of equipment, clothes, camps, and fees, but do you count up the gas driving to all those sporting events and the cost of going to a travel tournament with food and hotels? It can really drain the wallet. He recommends recreation leagues instead of club sports, and say, a $30 bat instead of a $300 baseball bat.
Hyman says parents want the best for their children and are very vulnerable. He says people will try to sell hope, but it becomes an expensive process.
"Chasing the college dream can be very expensive, and it pans out for very few young players," he said. "Only 5 percent of high school athletes play a minute or a down or an inning in college."
Hyman says it's better to focus on the enjoyment and lessons that come from youth sports, not the dream.
