The Cost Of: Spring sports
Marshal Cohen is the Chief Retail Analyst at Circana and says sporting equipment alone has increased 10 percent compared to last year.
Tryouts and signups for spring sports are here. If your child is looking to participate, be prepared to sacrifice your time and your savings.
Marshal Cohen is the Chief Retail Analyst at Circana and says sporting equipment alone has increased 10 percent compared to last year. The cost of registration will also run you more right off the bat.
"If you have to pay to have your child participate in one of the sports teams, expect to see between a $10 and $15 increase per child. Part of that is due to some of the transportation costs," said Cohen. "Some of the it's part of the insurance costs and some of it's just the overall expenses that occur, whether it's an umpire or an official or maintenance of the facilities."
Outfitting first time players with the appropriate gear is also expensive though the price does fluctuate based on sport and position.
"Expect to spend between $80 and $150 between footwear and gear," said Cohen.
If you are hoping to score some savings, handing down gear between siblings or seeking out secondhand shops is a great option.
"There is reused equipment and in some cases, some of this equipment has barely ever been used."
Tournaments and weekly travel can add a new dimension and dollar amount, but for athletes looking to play at the collegiate or professional level it's part of a much larger investment. If successful, the payout can be well worth the buy in.
