Sources
Sources & Research
Where our numbers come from, and how to verify them yourself.
Every cost figure, participation statistic, and scholarship explanation on this site traces back to real research, not guesswork or anecdotes. This page lists the organizations and research we draw from. It's a bibliography, not a scoring system. We don't rank or compare specific clubs anywhere on this site, and nothing here changes that.
Last checked: October 2, 2026
Cost & Participation Research
The Aspen Institute, Project Play: State of Play 2025
Used for: The 46 percent rise in family spending since 2019 and the participation gap by household income.
Dated: 2025 report.
The Aspen Institute, National Youth Sports Parent Survey
Used for: The $1,016 average a family spent on a child's primary sport in 2024, and the $278 spent on travel and lodging.
Dated: Survey data from 2024, published 2025.
Project Play, State of Play 2025: Participation Trends
Used for: Flag football growing 14 percent from 2019 to 2024 while other team sports fell.
Dated: 2025 report.
Good Sports and The Harris Poll, The Price of Play
Used for: How many parents have considered pulling a child out of sports over cost.
Dated: December 2024. Survey of more than 700 parents. These numbers are self-reported by the organization that paid for the survey.
USA TODAY, The 2026 Good Sports Cost of Play Index
Used for: The 2026 numbers on parents who have considered pulling a child out of sports, who worry about affording next year, and who have paid junk fees.
Dated: September 17, 2026. Survey of 574 adults by Good Sports and The Harris Poll.
College Odds & Scholarships
NCAA, Probability of Competing Beyond High School
Used for: The share of high school athletes who go on to play in the NCAA, sport by sport.
Dated: 2024-25 data.
Used for: About 2 percent of high school athletes are awarded athletics scholarships to compete in college.
Dated: October 2024.
NCAA, Scholarships & Financial Aid
Used for: Total athletics scholarship dollars awarded each year.
Dated: Page last updated July 2026.
NAIA, Women's Flag Football Approved as a Championship Sport
Used for: The college pathway for women's flag football.
Dated: 2026 announcement.
Bills & Laws
Every bill and law we track is listed row by row, with its current status, on our Industry Watch tracker.
GovInfo, Let Kids Play Act (S. 4522)
Used for: What the federal bill would do and who it covers.
Dated: Introduced May 13, 2026.
New York State Senate, Bill S10428
Used for: The New York bill on itemized costs, stay-to-play, and contracts.
Dated: Introduced May 15, 2026.
LegiScan, New Jersey Bill A5506
Used for: The New Jersey bill on stay-to-play.
Dated: Introduced September 17, 2026.
Illinois General Assembly, Public Act 104-0222
Used for: The Illinois Commission on Youth Sports.
Dated: Signed August 15, 2025.
Court Records
A lawsuit is a set of allegations until a court rules.
U.S. District Court opinion, Martinez v. U.S. Junior Nationals
Used for: The first court ruling on stay-to-play.
Dated: August 26, 2026.
U.S. District Court docket, Oliver v. Black Bear Sports Group
Used for: The class action filed by hockey parents over tournament hotels. Allegations only.
Dated: Filed September 1, 2026.
Investigations & Reporting
When we rely on a reporter's work, we name the outlet.
Oklahoma Watch, Forced Housing, Hidden Kickbacks
Used for: Hotel rebate amounts, buyout fees, and how stay-to-play money moves.
Dated: March 2025.
WMUK, Michigan attorney general inquiry into youth hockey
Used for: The Michigan Attorney General's office confirming its inquiry.
Dated: April 28, 2026.
USA TODAY, Texas attorney general and youth hockey
Used for: The reported early-stage look by the Texas Attorney General's office. The office has not confirmed it.
Dated: November 6, 2025.
Stateline, Private investment in youth sports draws state, federal scrutiny
Used for: The scale of investor-owned youth sports operators.
Dated: July 21, 2026.
The Lever, Wall Street Is Paywalling Your Kids' Sports
Used for: Recording rules and streaming fees at investor-owned rinks.
Dated: November 18, 2025.
Sport Governing Bodies
USA Hockey, Coaching Education Program
Used for: Coaching certification levels and requirements.
Dated: Checked October 2, 2026.
USA Lacrosse, Coach Certification
Used for: Coaching standards and safety resources.
Dated: Checked October 2, 2026.
USA Basketball, Coach License Program
Used for: Coach licensing standards.
Dated: January 11, 2024.
Used for: Coach credentialing in all-star cheer and dance.
Dated: Checked October 2, 2026.
Used for: Cheer safety rules and training.
Dated: Checked October 2, 2026.
Sports Medicine & Youth-Athlete Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics, Preventing Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes
Used for: Overuse injury and training load guidance.
Dated: Updated January 22, 2024.
Found a broken link or a number that looks off? Email legal@travelsportstruth.com.
Figures across this site are checked against these sources at the time of writing, but governing-body data, scholarship rules, and cost structures change. Where we're working from a directional estimate rather than a sport-specific survey, we say so directly on that page. If you spot something that looks outdated or wrong, use our Accuracy & Corrections Policy to flag it. We review every request.