The Cost of Youth Sports is Rising—So Why Aren't Coaches Getting Paid More?
Jordan Leonard · 2026-03-12 · 5 min read
Youth sports costs have jumped 46% since 2020, according to the Aspen Institute. Registration fees, equipment, travel, and tournament costs are all climbing—and families feel it. Yet the people at the center of it all—the coaches—are often still earning $12–15 per hour, if they're paid at all.
Something doesn't add up.
Where Does the Money Go?
When a family pays $800 for a club soccer season or $400 for a rec basketball league, a lot of that money goes to facility rentals, administrative overhead, uniforms, and insurance. Coaching stipends are often an afterthought—or worse, coaches are expected to volunteer their time out of love for the game.
And while love for the game matters, it doesn't pay rent.
The Real Cost of Underpaying Coaches
When programs underpay coaches, they face a talent pipeline problem. Experienced coaches leave for better opportunities. Programs scramble to fill rosters with whoever is available—not necessarily whoever is best. Kids don't get the quality instruction they deserve, even as their families are paying record amounts.
Programs that break this cycle—that offer $20+/hr with flexible schedules and real growth opportunities—consistently attract better coaches and retain them longer. The investment pays off in program quality, parent satisfaction, and athlete development.
EGP — Everyone Gets Paid
At CoachCorner, we believe in a simple motto: EGP — Everyone Gets Paid. The athletes who work hard deserve quality coaching. The families who invest in youth sports deserve a return on that investment. And the coaches who show up day after day, building relationships and developing young athletes, deserve to be fairly compensated for their expertise and time.
We're building tools that make it easier for programs to post competitive jobs, find qualified coaches, and create the kind of professional environments where coaches want to build careers—not just pick up side income.
Because when coaches get paid fairly, everyone wins.
#YouthSports #CoachesDeserveBetter #EGP