b'YOUTHPROBLEM :PARTICIPATION IS LOW YOUTH SPORTS FANDOMIS A DRIVER OF37 OF CHILDREN PLAY THOSE WHO PLAY ARE% AGES 6-12 #1 FACTOR INFLUENCING 6.4x MORE LIKELY TOSPORTS PLAYED TEAM SPORTS ON A REGULAR LATER SPORTS FANDOM BECOME AN AVID FAN.BASIS IN 2021, PER SPORTS & PARENTSFITNESS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONMore than half (58%) of childrenwho participate in sports playedtheir primary sport through#2 FACTOR INFLUENCING LATER ACCESS TOcommunity-based programming SPORTS FANDOMSPORTS AND in 2022, according to the Aspen LEADERSHIPInstitute and Utah StateTHROUGH SPORTS Those with avid sports fan AT ESPN, WE ARE FOCUSED ON CREATING58 parent(s) areACCESS TO SPORTS FOR YOUTH, ESPECIALLY%THOSE WHO HAVE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES2.7xTO PARTICIPATE. THE BENEFITS OF PLAYINGmore likely to becomeavid themselvesSPORTS GO BEYOND PHYSICAL HEALTH TOStill, 3 of 10 youth sports parentsSTARTINGINCLUDE BETTER PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOLsaid their childs community sports AND IMPROVED SOCIAL SKILLS. THESE program either closed, merged with POSITIVE OUTCOMES CAN CARRY INTOanother organization or exists with ADULTHOOD.less capacity compared to last year YOUNGUnfortunately, there isnt equal access to sports,AGE 11and large populationsespecially girls, youth in communities of color and those from lower-income householdscontinue to miss out on the many benefits from participation. Through our Access to Sports and Leadership through Sports focus areas, ESPN remains committed to promoting participationis the average time a child quitsin sports by helping youth from any background andplaying a sport, after less than threeThe younger sports fandom begins, the ability, so they can experience the benefits of sport years, and most often because higher the likelihood of adult avidity.and take advantage of the many life skills derived the sport is not fun anymorefrom taking part in youth sports.Sources: 2022 SSRS/KidSay Sports Poll Kids (US Pop ages 8-11).6 2022 SSRS/Luker on Trends Sports Poll (US Pop ages 12+). 7'