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Low income children are one-third as likely to play sports today than those with a household income of $75,000 or more. This means lower income kids fail to access the health, educational, and social benefits of sport and physical activity. Youth sports advocate Dev Pathik, Founder and CEO of the Sports Facilities Advisory, will bring this issue to the national stage on HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, set to air on November 20, 2018.
The recent growth in travel sports has brought a participation boom to many municipalities, providing millions of more affluent kids with access to sport and elite sports facilities. It has also contributed to continued growth in the youth sports economy, now estimated at more than $15 billion.
Pathik is appearing for the second time on “Real Sports” as a follow up to his 2017 appearance. This time Pathik will address the income disparity in youth sports in the hopes of sounding an alarm on an issue that he says will have long-term health care, crime rate, economic, and social implications.
Research from the Aspen Institute Project Play report shows that kids who are active including those engaged in sports, are one-tenth as likely to be obese, have higher test scores, lower levels of risky behavior, and generally do better in life. This means that kids who play sports are less expensive to society and more productive later in life. This contributes to an intergenerational cycle that will positively impact the health and well-being of communities for years to come.
In his upcoming feature on HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Dev addresses the income disparity head on. He will share the reasons we want children in the toughest neighborhoods playing sports and how sports, recreation, and active play have become inaccessible to millions of lower income kids. He will also introduce his unique concept for “free and reduced play” and the importance of sport as a nutrient for a healthy society.
About The Sports Facilities Companies
The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) are the Nation’s leading resources for the management and development of sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. As a turn-key solution for community leaders and developers alike, SFC services span the gamut of sports and recreation needs from sports tourism & recreation master planning, program planning, and feasibility through professional facility management services. Our 40+ managed venues and 1500+ team members, represented by the SF Network, welcome more than 25 million guest visits and produce over $250 million in economic impact each year. To learn more, please visit SportsFacilities.com and theSFnetwork.com.
