Thursday, September 14, 2017

The High Cost of Sports

America’s sports-industrial complex took in more than $100 billion last year, according to a survey released this week by CreditCards.com. Fans’ spending included $55.9 billion for sporting events, $33.4 billion for athletic equipment, $19.2 billion for gym memberships, $8 billion for sports-themed games, $4.8 billion for race entry fees and $2.3 billion for fantasy sports leagues.

In addition, 43 percent of the 18-to-53 age cohort paid to attend a sporting event in the preceding 12 months. Among those 53 and older, only 21 percent attended a sporting event.

CreditCards.com noted that a family of four put out $503 in 2016 to attend an NFL game, up 232 percent from $151 in 1991 - covering two adult tickets, two children’s tickets, two small beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, two programs, two adult-size ball caps and parking. The same family spent $339 in 2016 to attend an NBA game, and $219 to watch a Major League Baseball game.

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