Youth $ports

Episode 94: Harvey Araton (Sports Journalist/Author, New  York Times)
🎙 Harvey Araton, longtime The New York Times journalist and author, joins the podcast to reflect on decades of covering sports and how many of today’s youth sports issues were visible long before they exploded.
🔹 Araton shares that his most memorable assignment came during the 1998 NBA Finals, but what stuck with him most was a personal moment with his son after the game.
🔹 Even while writing about youth sports concerns 20 years ago, Araton admits he never imagined the system would evolve into what it is today.
🔹 He revisits the Little League World Series scandal involving Danny Almonte, using it as an early example of how exposure and pressure can push adults and systems to cross ethical lines.
🔹 The LLWS transformation from a single televised game to a full summer broadcast spectacle, raises a key question: are we celebrating kids, or exploiting them?
🔹 A sports psychologist told Araton the real danger isn’t being on TV…it’s what adults are willing to do to get kids there, from financial investment to bending the rules.
🔹 He discusses the growing role of private equity in youth sports, emphasizing that much of the money entering the space is driven by profit and not player well-being.
🔹 Araton shares stories of former youth stars who struggled later, unable to live up to the expectations created by early success on big stages.
🔹 The conversation tackles a common parent question: “What if my kid really loves it?” through the lens of pro soccer player Yael Averbuch’s upbringing and her parents’ decision to stay in a supportive, not controlling, role.
🔹 A powerful takeaway from that story: true passion is obvious. Averbuch was the one pushing to get to practice, not the other way around.
🔹 Araton draws a firm line between nurturing talent and trying to manufacture it: “You cannot spend your way to an elite athlete.”
🔹 His blunt reminder to parents: your child is not an investment or a stock…they are a developing human being.
🔹 He also warns about the subtle but telling use of “we” in youth sports parenting, and how it can blur the line between a child’s journey and a parent’s identity.
🔹 Araton discusses writing a book aimed directly at young athletes, cutting through the noise to remind them that the real benefits of sports often look very different from what adults promise.
🔹 The conversation ultimately centers on reclaiming youth sports for what they should be: a space for growth, enjoyment, and development…not just a pipeline to the next level.

Episode 93: David Murray (Soccer Dad/Best-selling author/journalist)
🎙 David Murray, best-selling author and journalist, joins the podcast to unpack his new book Soccer Dad. It’s a brutally honest, often hilarious chronicle of his journey as a youth sports parent raising a future Division 1 soccer player.
🔹 Murray makes it clear from the start: “This conversation is not about sports… it’s about us,” framing the story as a reflection on parenting, identity, and the choices families make along the way.
🔹 The book reads like an unfiltered diary, avoiding preachy advice and instead sharing real mistakes, emotions, and lessons learned in real time.
🔹 The story opens with a surprising twist…the long-awaited Division 1 scholarship moment feels underwhelming, challenging the idea of a “pinnacle” in youth sports.
🔹 The infamous moment: “Hey… your kid is pretty good.” Murray explains why that comment can act like fuel for parents, often driving bigger commitments and tougher decisions.
🔹 He dives into the financial realities of youth soccer, noting that most families spend far more chasing opportunities than they ever receive back in scholarships.
🔹 Murray strongly cautions against skipping high school sports for the college chase, arguing that it may actually take away the most meaningful part of the experience.
🔹 He reflects on parenting missteps, including playing his daughter up too early, and how that impacted her development and sense of belonging.
🔹 A candid look at club soccer culture and the pressure-filled pipeline, including experiences with elite leagues and the pursuit of college exposure.
🔹 The transition to Division 1 life at Ohio University brings a major wake-up call, reshaping expectations for both athlete and parent.
🔹 Murray shares the internal struggle of parenting during the college years—wanting to foster independence while always being there when the phone rings.
🔹 “You’re only as happy as your least happy child.” What a powerful reality that defines much of the parent experience during challenging moments.
🔹 He highlights both sides of the journey: the immense pride in watching his daughter succeed and the difficulty of navigating setbacks.
🔹 One of the book’s most memorable moments: the chapter titled “The Day I Became Dumb F*ck Dad,” capturing the humor and humility of youth sports parenting.
🔹 Murray offers one key suggestion for college coaches: spend “five f*cking minutes” understanding the athlete through the parent’s perspective.
🔹 The conversation closes with life after youth sports…how the parent-child relationship evolves once the game is no longer the central “shared project.”

Episode 92: Karen Walker (MLB Pitcher Walker Buehler's Mom)
🎙 Karen Walker, mother of MLB All-Star pitcher Walker Buehler, joins the show to share the behind-the-scenes journey of raising a son from neighborhood ballfields to the highest level of baseball…and why it was never part of some grand master plan.
🔹 Karen reflects on the universal question every youth sports parent quietly asks: “Could that be my kid?”—and how, for her, the answer slowly unfolded over time rather than being obvious from the start.
🔹 She shares a vivid early memory of walking two blocks to Ecton Park with a young Walker, “a little boy and his glove,” highlighting how humble and simple the beginnings really were.
🔹 Her parenting philosophy was simple: let him try anything, commit for a season, and prioritize enjoyment over long-term outcomes.
🔹 For years, there was no expectation of a future in baseball, just a kid playing with friends, until a moment in high school when a scout pointed out Walker surrounded by coaches, signaling something bigger might be happening.
🔹 Karen emphasizes that Walker’s journey was far from individual, calling him a “group project” and crediting a community of 30+ people who poured into his development along the way.
🔹 A multi-sport upbringing played a huge role in his success, exposing him to different skills, coaches, and environments.
🔹 She raises concerns about the rise in youth injuries, particularly Tommy John surgery, and stresses the importance of long-term health over short-term success.
🔹 Karen strongly advocates for parents being actively involved in athlete safety (tracking pitch counts, limiting off-speed pitches, and not blindly trusting coaches in high-pressure moments). 
🔹 She notes how the desire to win can cloud judgment at all levels, reminding listeners that games at ages 10, 12, or even 15 feel huge…but ultimately aren’t what matter most.
🔹 On recruiting, Karen reinforces a powerful message: “If you’re good, they will find you,” while also acknowledging the importance of putting athletes in reasonable positions to be seen without overdoing self-promotion.
🔹 She warns that excessive parent-driven promotion can create unnecessary pressure, encouraging families to let kids develop naturally and enjoy the process.
🔹 Karen closes with a perspective that hits home: despite watching her son pitch in Yankee Stadium, nothing compares to the joy and purity of Little League…“This is the sweet spot… don’t miss it.”

Episode 91: Kam Cox (Associate Director of Athletics, University of Illinois)
🎙 Kam Cox, Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Illinois, joins the podcast to break down how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has fundamentally reshaped college athletics and why the changes are still unfolding in real time.
🔹 Cox became the first NIL specialist in a Power 4 conference, stepping into a role that had no roadmap as universities tried to anticipate how NIL would impact recruiting, roster building, and competitive balance.
🔹 Early on, Illinois leadership believed NIL could be the biggest shift in college sports since athletic scholarships were introduced in the 1950s… a prediction that has largely proven true.
🔹 Cox explains that in the early days of NIL, there was no playbook, and schools were forced to adjust on the fly. 
🔹 The recruitment flip of Travis Hunter signaled that NIL could meaningfully shift competitive advantages, showing that financial opportunities could shift the competitive balance.
🔹 “In disruption, there’s opportunity.” Cox emphasizes that details matter, and programs that successfully adapt to change can create meaningful advantages.
🔹 Illinois athletics has leaned into the evolving landscape, with the men’s basketball Final Four run serving as an example of how departments are finding ways to strategically operate in the NIL era.
🔹 Cox walks listeners through how the NIL landscape has already shifted — from collectives to revenue-sharing models, especially following developments connected to the House case settlement.
🔹 Increased athlete mobility has created new challenges for coaches, with some programs essentially re-recruiting their entire roster every year.
🔹 Despite all the financial and structural changes, Cox stresses that the core mission remains the same: supporting student-athletes and creating environments where top players want to develop.
🔹 Illinois has prioritized broad-based support, fully funding scholarships for all 450 student-athletes, highlighting that NIL’s impact extends beyond just high-profile sports.
🔹 NIL has also created new opportunities for female athletes, many of whom are excelling in branding and social media-driven partnerships.
🔹 Cox discusses the big question facing college athletics: Is the current NIL model financially sustainable? He notes that long-term stability often depends on clearer rules and predictable structures.
🔹 While financial investment matters, Cox explains that thriving athletic departments often succeed because of strategy, adaptability, and organizational alignment… not just spending. The most expensive rosters don’t always equate to the most wins. 
🔹 At the end of the day, administrators can’t guarantee wins, but they can position teams for success through strong infrastructure, support systems, and forward-thinking leadership.

Episode 90: Jordan Parker (Multi-time guest)
🎙 Jordan Parker returns to the pod, and as always, we start with a quick life update… including the latest installment of “old man” observations that somehow keep getting more relatable with age.
🔹 March Madness once again provides a fascinating lens into the current youth sports landscape, with themes that mirror conversations happening at the grassroots, high school, and club levels.
🔹 The “best of the best” will always be heavily recruited and pursued, but even elite college programs are built with players who took less traditional paths. Iowa’s Sweet 16 roster featured Division II players, junior college athletes, and 3-star recruits… a reminder that development journeys are rarely linear.
🔹 Iowa head coach Ben McCollum’s emphasis on recruiting “tough dudes” who want to be part of something bigger than themselves reinforces the continued importance of culture, humility, and fit over hype.
🔹 Even genetics occasionally tells a story: Cooper Koch’s Sweet 16 performance echoed his father J.R. Koch’s contribution to Iowa’s 1999 tournament run. 
🔹 Financial realities are reshaping competitive balance. Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd noted that NIL and revenue disparities could create a breaking point for mid-major programs, raising questions about long-term parity in college sports and the trickle-down impact in youth sports.
🔹 The development vs. exposure debate continues. Players like Malachi Moreno, who stayed with their local high school programs, contrast with athletes pursuing alternative routes like Overtime Elite. The conversation isn’t about one “right” path, but about making moves when the results and readiness warrant it.
🔹 Basketball skill vs. basketball feel: some players accumulate highlights, while others learn how to truly play the game. Development environments often shape decision-making, adaptability, and long-term growth.
🔹 Multi-sport athletes continue to appear on big stages. Florida contributors Thomas Haugh (volleyball background) and Alex Condon (former soccer goalkeeper) reinforce the value of diverse athletic development.
🔹 Parents and social media influence doesn’t stop at youth sports. High-profile college situations illustrate how family involvement can impact athlete growth. Dawn Staley’s message about allowing kids to work through challenges serves as an important reminder about fostering independence and resilience.

Episode 89: Jeffrey Hou (Founder of Granville Peak search fund)
🎙 Jeffrey Hou, founder of the search fund Granville Peak, joins the podcast to help explain the growing role of private equity in youth sports and what investors see when they look at the industry.
🔹 Regardless of how people feel about it, private equity has undeniably entered the youth sports space and is beginning to shape the future of leagues, tournaments, technology, and training businesses.
🔹 Jeffrey explains that he doesn’t necessarily see the conflict as youth sports vs. private equity, but rather the difference between good stewards and bad stewards of the youth sports ecosystem.
🔹 He believes capital can absolutely belong in youth sports, but the real question is whether that capital is aligned with better outcomes for kids, families, coaches, and communities.
🔹 Investment can be positive when it improves things like safety, coaching education, operations, and technology that actually enhances the experience for participants.
🔹 On the flip side, if investment simply makes youth sports more expensive or less accessible, it ultimately harms the stakeholders the system is supposed to serve.
🔹 Jeffrey gives a very simple breakdown of private equity: investors acquire a stable business with predictable revenue, improve and grow it, and eventually sell it for a profit.
🔹 A helpful analogy he shares is thinking about it like buying a house, putting a mortgage on it, renting it out, and using the rental payments to pay down the loan while building value.
🔹 From an investor’s perspective, youth sports isn’t really one industry at all — it’s a huge ecosystem made up of clubs, academies, camps, tournaments, facilities, and technology platforms.
🔹 One common strategy investors use is the “roll-up model,” where many smaller youth sports businesses (often doing $1–5 million in revenue) are combined under one larger umbrella company.
🔹 We also discuss the race happening behind the scenes as companies compete to become the “go-to” technology platform or app that youth sports organizations rely on.
🔹 Jeffrey says youth sports remains largely under-digitized and under-professionalized, which investors see as opportunity … but it raises the question of whether youth sports should become more corporate in the first place.
🔹 As someone entering the youth sports investment space, Jeffrey believes investors have a moral obligation to make youth sports better for kids with the capital they deploy.
🔹 And finally, we talk about the trends investors are watching closely as billions of dollars begin flowing into the youth sports industry.

Episode 88: Madison Gates (VP of Marketing for i9 Sports, Former Division 1 soccer player)
🎙 Madison Gates, VP of Marketing for i9 Sports, joins the podcast to talk about the organization’s mission of putting kids first and why their tagline “The way youth sports should be” feels more relevant than ever in today’s youth sports landscape.
🔹 Madison explains that organizations like i9 thrived 20 years ago, but the modern youth sports environment has changed dramatically with increased pressure, specialization, and rising costs for families.
🔹 One of the biggest shifts? Youth sports are increasingly becoming about what parents want instead of what kids want, with many parents either living vicariously through their children or feeling pressure to keep up with others.
🔹 With the number of girls dropping out of sports around ages 13–14 at an alarming rate, i9 decided to take a step back and ask an important question: Are we actually giving girls what they want from sports?
🔹 To find out, i9 surveyed over 1,500 parents and girls ages 3–14 who had participated in their programs to better understand their priorities and motivations.
🔹 The results were surprising: the #1 thing both parents and girls wanted from sports was confidence-building and a sense of belonging.
🔹 Meanwhile, the thing that ranked last in importance? Winning. Less than 3% of respondents said winning was the most important aspect of youth sports.
🔹 We discuss whether youth sports culture often creates a false choice between being competitive and just having fun, when in reality many kids want both.
🔹 Madison also talks about the growing popularity of sports like flag football, where kids are drawn to the game because it’s new and exciting (and not tied to the same college recruiting pressure as more established sports).
🔹 As many traditional youth sports become more expensive and require earlier specialization, emerging sports that are more accessible and affordable are starting to challenge the status quo.
🔹 If winning truly ranks last for most parents, we also ask an uncomfortable question: why is winning still the main thing parents and clubs highlight on social media?
🔹 Madison shares i9’s initiative “Gains Are for the Girls,” which aims to get 500,000 girls playing sports by 2030, focusing on what girls actually gain from sports: confidence, friendships, belonging, and personal growth.
🔹 We also talk about the importance of small details that make girls feel included…even something like jerseys designed specifically for girls can help athletes feel more comfortable and confident on the field.
🔹 And before we wrap up, Madison drops a fun teaser about an upcoming movie centered on the legendary “99ers” team from the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Episode 87: Josh Skillman (Co-host of a podcast with his 10 year old son)
🎙 This week on the Youth $ports Podcast: I sit down with Josh Skillman, co-host (alongside his 10-year-old son Luke) of the podcast Always Pick the Underdog, to talk about creativity, connection, and why youth sports don’t have to be the only bonding experience between parent and child.
🔹 What started as a simple weekly Facebook post breaking down upcoming football games slowly grew into something bigger. A niche audience began tuning in consistently...
🔹 In 2024, Luke (Josh's 10 year old son) joined as a “guest picker.” One season later, Josh upgraded the equipment… and what began as his adventure became their adventure.
🔹 Now? Luke drives the show. He selects the games, builds the slides, and helps shape the direction. There’s no over-rehearsing and no pressure to be perfect.
🔹 The #1 rule of the podcast: Have fun. If it stops being fun, it stops working.
🔹 Their following has grown, and they now feature guest pickers weekly — creating community around something that simply started as shared interest.
🔹 A powerful reminder: your child’s sport does NOT have to be the only connection point in your relationship. Shared experiences can exist outside the field, court, or diamond.
🔹 Josh was intentional about not forcing sports onto his kids. Knowing how much they meant to him, he allowed interest to develop naturally and that organic curiosity created deeper buy-in.
🔹 The podcast reshaped their father-son dynamic. Josh admitted he sometimes misread Luke’s perfectionism or quietness. Working side-by-side gave him more patience and understanding.
🔹 Their mornings now start the same way: Luke checking scores, the two of them talking football over breakfast and bonding regardless of whether yesterday was a good day or a tough one.
🔹 The show has fueled Luke’s creativity and academic growth: improved spelling, public speaking, design skills, Canva presentations, and confidence.
🔹 On the podcast, they operate on equal footing. It’s not Dad coaching and Luke performing. It’s collaboration.
🔹 Hosting a sports podcast has also deepened Luke’s appreciation for watching full games and not just highlights. We talked about how today’s kids consume sports differently, and why actually WATCHING games (not just clips) helps young athletes understand nuance, spacing, tactics, and details (think: the subtle reads within a ball screen).
This episode is a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do as a sports parent… is pick the adventure.
And make sure it’s fun.

Episode 86: Katie Wells (Mother of a senior...)
🎙️ A year and a half after appearing on one of the earliest episodes of the Youth $ports Podcast, Katie Wells returns and this time, the story hits differently. A LOT can change in a year and a half…
🔹 Back then, she detailed the jaw-dropping grind of her son’s lacrosse journey: 3-hour round trips to Cincinnati multiple times a week, coast-to-coast summer travel for showcases, tournaments, and camps… all leading up to “prime recruiting season.”
🔹 The goal? Division I lacrosse… but only under the right circumstances. 
🔹 Then came September 1st: the day college coaches can officially call recruits. The top players’ phones rang. Her son’s didn’t. “When he didn’t get that phone call, I think he kind of sunk into himself a little bit.”
🔹 Katie opens up about watching teammates receive calls and offers… and the very real imposter syndrome that can creep in for kids (and parents).
🔹 After the silence, her son stepped away completely. No travel ball. No tournaments. He didn’t pick up a lacrosse stick for three months.
🔹 Their family had always tried to stay realistic: lacrosse wasn’t about going pro. It was about opening doors, creating opportunity, and standing out in the college admissions process.
🔹 I asked Katie if she had regrets. Her answer was honest: “You don’t know what you don’t know.” No regrets — just lessons.
🔹 As he matured, priorities shifted. What felt urgent at 13 or 14 didn’t feel the same with a more developed perspective. Sometimes the “dream” evolves.
🔹 I pressed her on her initial gut reaction when her son decided to step away. Raw honesty: “Did I do enough?” The quiet voice of every sports parent wondering if they pushed too hard or not hard enough.
🔹 Once the recruiting pressure lifted, something unexpected happened: relief. No scanning the sidelines for the coach with the clipboard. No performance anxiety. Just joy in watching her kid play.
🔹 Katie shares a powerful story of another family whose identity was so wrapped in offers that when they didn’t come, everything unraveled. When the machine stops, what’s left?
🔹 One thing she does NOT regret: making every travel tournament about more than lacrosse. Family dinners. Exploring cities. Core memories. When someone once questioned why they were “doing all this,” she never let the sport become the only reason.
🔹 In one of the most poignant moments of the series, Katie reflects on how grateful she is that her son was the one who eventually drew the line and said “no.” She’s not sure she could have done it herself. Sometimes saying no becomes the cornerstone.
🔹 Senior night is coming. “You’ll have to peel me off the 50-yard line.” But through it all, she never wanted his identity tied to performance so that when the sport ended, he wouldn’t lose himself.
🔹 And when I asked what she’s most proud of about her son? She listed character traits, resilience, kindness, growth. You know what never came up? Lacrosse.
This episode is raw, honest, and required listening for youth sports parents navigating recruiting, identity, and the courage to pivot.

Episode 85: Wilder Treadway (Returning guest)
🎙 This week on the Youth $ports Podcast: I welcome back Wilder Treadway for Round 2. Honestly, the best way to describe this episode is a complete smorgasbord of women’s sports, youth athletics, culture, Olympic talk, creativity, and some truly unhinged (but necessary) hot takes.
🔹 The WNBA’s current turmoil, as the league and players association head toward negotiations that feel increasingly unstable… with a potential lockout looming.
🔹 How the WNBA has had a 30-year head start, yet the new 3-on-3 league Unrivaled is already lapping it in buzz, innovation, and fan excitement.
🔹 Why Unrivaled’s creativity, from sellout crowds to viral social media moments, is exactly what modern sports leagues need to survive and thrive.
🔹 The brilliance of Unrivaled’s $200,000 one-on-one tournament, and how it exposed the NBA All-Star weekend’s growing problem: zero compelling storylines.
🔹 A bigger conversation about thinking outside the box in 2026… and why leagues can’t rely on tradition alone to hold attention anymore.
🔹 The frustrating reality that brands have missed opportunities for YEARS when it comes to investing in women’s sports and women athletes.
🔹 The lack of early-season excitement in women’s college basketball, and why the sport could learn from women’s volleyball: schedule big matchups early and build momentum.
🔹 The layered reasons behind the issue: cuts to sports journalism, coaches avoiding risky schedules, and a system that rewards playing it safe.
🔹 Wilder’s greatest passion makes an appearance: coach outfits. Covid is over. The spotlight is back. Dress like it matters.
🔹 A passionate plea to stop posting AI-generated caricatures of yourself, your family, or you hanging out with the Grinch… “AI is not telling you the truth, Becky.”
🔹 Wilder’s spiciest cultural hot take: it may be time to bring back… just a little bit of shame.
🔹 Olympic talk through a youth sports lens: how does a child even discover they’re destined for Skeleton or Curling?
🔹 A fascinating discussion of Norway’s youth sports model, and what the U.S. could learn from their long-term Olympic development pipeline.
🔹 The closing reminder: it’s okay to not have a strong opinion about everything… sometimes the healthiest choice is simply sitting one out.