…hockey
Youth sports have long been a target of private equity interests, and nowhere is that more clear than in youth hockey. USA Hockey membership reached an all-time high in 2025 with 577,900 members. It’s the most expensive youth sport by some measures, costing an average of $2,583 a year, given the amount of protective equipment, sticks and skates needed. That is well above the $1,016 average spent per household on their child’s primary sport. Hockey rinks have also been the target of private-equity funded rollups, with their high utility bill costs and municipalities that once maintained local rinks selling off to private interests. One such entity is Black Bear Sports, which now owns 42 rinks across 11 states, manages four national and regional youth hockey associations and recently launched its own streaming site, Black Bear TV. That last move has particularly ruffled feathers, as the rinks now allege that all games played inside can only be streamed on their $25 to $50 per month network. Parents say they’ve even been threatened over recording or livestreaming their own kids’ games.
Comments