Editor at Large
Your nephew long dreamed of playing ice hockey. When he was still a baby, you would prop him up on a pillow, forcing him to watch NHL games, much to the dismay of his parents. As he got older, he grew into a huge fan. You wish he rooted for the Detroit Red Wings, but he betrayed the family and turned toward the Blackhawks because he was obsessed with their logo.
Finally, he was old enough to lace up skates. His parents caved, even though they wanted him to play basketball (a much cheaper sport to participate in), and tonight was his first game. You get off work early, tagging along with your brother and sister-in-law because you don’t want to miss the moment he skates onto the ice for the first time. As you go to pull out your phone and record a video, an ice rink employee practically leaps in front of you, blocking the camera.
He rudely informs you of the arena’s new policy: all fans, parents, and family members are banned from recording the game. It’s dangerous to the athletes, he claims. You ask why. He says if you want video or pictures, you must pay for them.
But why? He deflects, only warning that if you try to film the game and your nephew again, you will get kicked out. This whole scenario sounds creepy, if a bit dystopian. But it’s happening across America, thanks to Wall Street and private equity vampires who are sinking their teeth into youth sports in order to make a quick buck. (Subscribe to MR. RIGHT, a free weekly newsletter about modern masculinity)
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