Sports Prices Increase, Love for Game Stays the Same
Stick and ball. Basket and ball. Stick, biscuit, and a goal.
At one time in history, sports required minimal equipment that could be found in nature or the hallway closet. Today, mega stores are dedicated to providing equipment that is anything but cheap. While children years ago played sports with gear found around the house, athletes nowadays have to dig deep in their piggy banks to have some fun
Sports have not always been expensive. In the past, miscellaneous objects sufficed to pass the time away, but times have changed, and so has the world of sports.
It is playoff time in the NHL and once again, fans across the country are proudly bearing their team’s colors. Throughout the world, groups gather around the screen watching as players check each other into walls and brawl over judgment calls. And for the adoring fans, it puts on a show, but what about for the players? Hockey itself is not a cheap sport. Ranking as one of the most expensive sports on the playing field (or ice rink) at around $450 dollars and up, injury may only increase the price of equipment. Pads, skates, sticks, helmets, gloves, socks, under armor, jerseys, and extras in case something breaks, can mean a larger amount as well.
“Take me out to the ball game…” Or just to the store to spend money. A possibly uncalled for second in the lineup of expensive sports is America’s favorite pastime: baseball. Mitt: $90. Cleats: $90. Socks: $10. Helmet: $50. Sliding gear: $40. Baseball: not priceless. Actually, around $305 when warm-ups are included.
Along similar lines as hockey and baseball, football can also be a lasting commitment. No longer are professional players wearing helmets and nothing else, they are geared up with pads of all types to protect from harm. However, unlike the two previous sports, cleats are the shoe of choice, which, depending on brand and quality can cost anywhere from $50-100. Throw in the gloves, pads, helmets, and of course, the football itself, $120-200.
Tyler Alcantara is a senior who is familiar with spending this kind of money. “My stuff was pretty expensive for football,” said Alcantara, “and that wasn’t including the surgery I had because of it.” Ironically, Alcantara also participates in track, which holds a spot for one of the cheapest sports. “I only paid $75 for my shoes and that was it.”
Next come basketball. While this sport does not require pounds of extra padding to be worn, many athletes involved purchase special sneakers that hold up, help with balance, and as advertised, attempt to enhance abilities. “I buy the best shoes which can be up to like, $200ish, plus insoles and tape and shorts and ankle slash knee braces…so basketball can get kind of expensive,” said junior Carrie Freeman.
David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Petr Cech, Bobby Charleton; all have something in common. However, so does every other soccer player. Cleats and shin guards, the bare essentials to any "foot" ball game. And while high school students may not have luxury equipment, the average cost for soccer needs averages to about $100.
The next three sports place as the bottom three cheapest. While volleyball, wrestling, and track have very different objectives, the prices to accomplish them are very close. Wrestling and track each just require shoes. Wrestlers do wear helmets, but most schools provide the headgear and may not be added to the cost. Depending on the cost of the shoes, most athletes involved in track and wrestling spend usually around $59-90.
However, the lower the cost for sports such as wrestling and track, the more attention needs to be on perfecting the sport. “Track and Wrestling have very minimum equipment needs so they take the focus off all the expensive gear and more on having fun and enjoying the sport. Less equipment makes it easier to run track and wrestle for recreation to.” Said junior Andrew Devroy.
That leaves volleyball. Although this sport may seem like it needs more equipment to protect from floor burns or bruised elbows, regular tennis shoes and pads average about the cost of $30-40, making this sport the most affordable.
Sports at one time required minimal money to play though not anymore. But that may be a positive drawback. With better equipment quality, younger generations can become more involved without injury.
Discount sports stores are available for more affordable sports equipment. Dick’s, Dunhams, and Play It Again Sports are just a few.
It may have been years since kids played baseball with a stick or basketball with a laundry basket, but while prices fluctuate, the joy of the sport never does.
At one time in history, sports required minimal equipment that could be found in nature or the hallway closet. Today, mega stores are dedicated to providing equipment that is anything but cheap. While children years ago played sports with gear found around the house, athletes nowadays have to dig deep in their piggy banks to have some fun
Sports have not always been expensive. In the past, miscellaneous objects sufficed to pass the time away, but times have changed, and so has the world of sports.
It is playoff time in the NHL and once again, fans across the country are proudly bearing their team’s colors. Throughout the world, groups gather around the screen watching as players check each other into walls and brawl over judgment calls. And for the adoring fans, it puts on a show, but what about for the players? Hockey itself is not a cheap sport. Ranking as one of the most expensive sports on the playing field (or ice rink) at around $450 dollars and up, injury may only increase the price of equipment. Pads, skates, sticks, helmets, gloves, socks, under armor, jerseys, and extras in case something breaks, can mean a larger amount as well.
“Take me out to the ball game…” Or just to the store to spend money. A possibly uncalled for second in the lineup of expensive sports is America’s favorite pastime: baseball. Mitt: $90. Cleats: $90. Socks: $10. Helmet: $50. Sliding gear: $40. Baseball: not priceless. Actually, around $305 when warm-ups are included.
Along similar lines as hockey and baseball, football can also be a lasting commitment. No longer are professional players wearing helmets and nothing else, they are geared up with pads of all types to protect from harm. However, unlike the two previous sports, cleats are the shoe of choice, which, depending on brand and quality can cost anywhere from $50-100. Throw in the gloves, pads, helmets, and of course, the football itself, $120-200.
Tyler Alcantara is a senior who is familiar with spending this kind of money. “My stuff was pretty expensive for football,” said Alcantara, “and that wasn’t including the surgery I had because of it.” Ironically, Alcantara also participates in track, which holds a spot for one of the cheapest sports. “I only paid $75 for my shoes and that was it.”
Next come basketball. While this sport does not require pounds of extra padding to be worn, many athletes involved purchase special sneakers that hold up, help with balance, and as advertised, attempt to enhance abilities. “I buy the best shoes which can be up to like, $200ish, plus insoles and tape and shorts and ankle slash knee braces…so basketball can get kind of expensive,” said junior Carrie Freeman.
David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Petr Cech, Bobby Charleton; all have something in common. However, so does every other soccer player. Cleats and shin guards, the bare essentials to any "foot" ball game. And while high school students may not have luxury equipment, the average cost for soccer needs averages to about $100.
The next three sports place as the bottom three cheapest. While volleyball, wrestling, and track have very different objectives, the prices to accomplish them are very close. Wrestling and track each just require shoes. Wrestlers do wear helmets, but most schools provide the headgear and may not be added to the cost. Depending on the cost of the shoes, most athletes involved in track and wrestling spend usually around $59-90.
However, the lower the cost for sports such as wrestling and track, the more attention needs to be on perfecting the sport. “Track and Wrestling have very minimum equipment needs so they take the focus off all the expensive gear and more on having fun and enjoying the sport. Less equipment makes it easier to run track and wrestle for recreation to.” Said junior Andrew Devroy.
That leaves volleyball. Although this sport may seem like it needs more equipment to protect from floor burns or bruised elbows, regular tennis shoes and pads average about the cost of $30-40, making this sport the most affordable.
Sports at one time required minimal money to play though not anymore. But that may be a positive drawback. With better equipment quality, younger generations can become more involved without injury.
Discount sports stores are available for more affordable sports equipment. Dick’s, Dunhams, and Play It Again Sports are just a few.
It may have been years since kids played baseball with a stick or basketball with a laundry basket, but while prices fluctuate, the joy of the sport never does.
