{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"What Do I Know? with Bill Shakos ","title":"Episode 9: From Little League to Big Business: The Rise of Professionalized Youth Sports","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/53151fa3\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2165,"description":"Over the past three decades, youth sports in America have undergone a massive transformation. What was once a casual, community-based activity is now increasingly shaped by professional-level infrastructure, technology, and investment. In this episode, we explore how parents, coaches, and communities can navigate this evolution to support kids in the healthiest, most meaningful way possible. Our guest, Jeremy Goldberg, President of LeagueApps, and a parent-coach himself, brings unmatched insight from the intersection of sports, technology, investment and youth development.\n🎯 In This Episode, We Cover:\nHow youth sports have evolved since the 1990s—from local leagues to national travel teams and tech-enhanced performance training\nThe role of AI, social media, and structured investment in shaping young athletes' experiences and outcomes\nHow the business of youth sports is creating both opportunity and pressure for families across the country\nWhere youth sports may be headed by 2030, including equity, access, and new models of leadership\nLeagueApps’ work with underserved communities and the launch of NextUp—a professional platform for the youth sports industry\n⚾ Why This Conversation Matters:\nYouth sports now impact everything from family schedules to college admissions, shaping not only kids’ athletic skills but also their confidence, identity, and social worlds. Understanding this fast-moving shift isn’t just important for parents and coaches—it’s essential for anyone who cares about equity, community, and the future of play.\nStay Connected:\nLinkTree page with all ways to listen, follow, and subscribe\nFollow What Do I Know? on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠TikTok⁠\nNot on social media? ⁠Sign-up for the bi-weekly newsletter⁠ for new episodes and recaps\n⁠Podcast Website⁠ listen, follow, subscribe, and learn about Bill’s story and podcast purpose \n⁠YouTube Channel⁠ with supplemental content","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/B8UYwSaW9nGnNE5fmAsi63czIEm5k-GsDQPcsYuTdvk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hYWU4/NGYwNDdjNWMwYTVm/YWQ0OGNmNDAwNWE4/OGUwNS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}