2025 TAKE BACK SPORTS IMPACT REPORT 16 2-4-1 Sports ESPN funded the 2-4-1 TOP Self Sports program, a multisport program that emphasizes social and emotional learning in Hartford, Conn. parks and schools. Boys & Girls Clubs of America ESPN funded the distribution of sports kits that support multisport play and provided ongoing coach training, impacting 339,000 youth through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America ALL STARS program, including 96,000 youth participating in sports through multisport play. love.fútbol Together with love.fútbol, ESPN refurbished a multisport space for local community leagues in Atlanta, home of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2025. We also provided direct sports-based mental health programming for local teams and leagues. Athletes for Hope ESPN helped expand CHAMPS, Athletes for Hope’s athlete-led program aimed through events, activations and clinics at improving children’s mental health, leadership skills and physical activity, while giving them the opportunity to build mentoring relationships with professional, Olympic, Paralympic and college athlete role models, to 23,000 students. Doc Wayne In collaboration with Doc Wayne, ESPN is delivering mental health training, workshops and support to coaches and youth development professionals supporting underserved communities. We trained 294 coaches, impacting over 100,000 youth across the country. life’s 2 short 4 just 1 sport TM MAKING SPORTS FUN / MENTAL WELLBEING MULTISPORT PLAY TAKE BACK SPORTS INNOVATION CHALLENGE At the Project Play Summit, ESPN offered an exclusive opportunity for nonprofits to apply to its Take Back Sports Innovation Challenge — where grants would be awarded to organizations delivering innovative solutions that reimagine how kids engage with sports. Ultimately, ESPN doubled its original investment from $50,000 to $100,000 in response to more than 150 compelling applications — awarding grants to 10 small, local nonprofits dedicated to improving the youth sports environment. 17 TakeBackSports.org ESPN created a multi-platform campaign with assets focused on reaching parents and the role they play in creating a positive youth sports experience for kids. We also engaged audiences directly through events, activations and clinics. 2 2 MARKETING & ACTIVATIONS MARKETING & ACTIVATIONS MARKETING & ACTIVATIONS ESPN collaborated with Positive Coaching Alliance to launch TakeBackSports.org, a hub for parents, caregivers and coaches — offering tips, resources and guides to help improve the youth sports experience. Additionally, ESPN covered course fees, ensuring free access to Positive Coaching Alliance's Parent Online Courses to help families address key youth sports topics. TAKEBACKSPORTS.ORG The average U.S. sports family spent $1,016 on their child’s primary sport in 2024, increasing 46% since 2019. To address key challenges in youth sports, including cost, time commitments and early specialization models, ESPN launched two PSAs — one featuring Peyton and Eli Manning and Stephen Curry, and another with SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt — underscoring the need to address these issues so more kids can experience the benefits of playing sports. PSAs
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