NFHS is a crime, a clear case of corruption. It is so hard to exterminate because it's like an invasive species, a giant vampire squid, with tentacles in every facet of high school sports, from MaxPreps, PlayOn Sports, and GoFan ticketing. So far, it has penetrated 44 states and involves almost 10,000 schools.
The organization consists of two separate but related entities, NFHS and NFHS Network. NFHS is like the IHSA on a national level. Competent and respected, it's been around for 100 years, advising administrations and athletic departments. NFHS owns 52% of the NFHS Network.
The other 48% is owned by PlayOn Sports, which describes itself as a media and technology company "supporting millions of fans." But here's the rub. PlayOn Sports is funded by a private equity firm, KKR, whose sole reason for existence is to maximize its wealth, and they do this by sucking the lifeblood out of their assets.
Private equity has polluted youth sports with junk fees, pay-to-play contracts, and private teams in private leagues that play on private fields. Combine their naked greed with the blind hope of parents, who will often spend on a wistful dream, and you get a self-perpetuating machine. According to the New York Times, one of ten parents in youth sports thinks his or her child could reach the Olympics or the pros.
Giant squids have few predators, and certainly no message board will ever have an effect on this behemoth. But now that I understand it, I know there is no point in complaining.
The organization consists of two separate but related entities, NFHS and NFHS Network. NFHS is like the IHSA on a national level. Competent and respected, it's been around for 100 years, advising administrations and athletic departments. NFHS owns 52% of the NFHS Network.
The other 48% is owned by PlayOn Sports, which describes itself as a media and technology company "supporting millions of fans." But here's the rub. PlayOn Sports is funded by a private equity firm, KKR, whose sole reason for existence is to maximize its wealth, and they do this by sucking the lifeblood out of their assets.
Private equity has polluted youth sports with junk fees, pay-to-play contracts, and private teams in private leagues that play on private fields. Combine their naked greed with the blind hope of parents, who will often spend on a wistful dream, and you get a self-perpetuating machine. According to the New York Times, one of ten parents in youth sports thinks his or her child could reach the Olympics or the pros.
Giant squids have few predators, and certainly no message board will ever have an effect on this behemoth. But now that I understand it, I know there is no point in complaining.
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