Will gas prices effect Sports?

[minutemen]

Just curious to know what people will do when the prices go up to $6.00. Will people and teams still play? I have not seen the effects yet at my rink but I know a few years ago when gas went up, I lost players and teams. I hope people stick it out and find other ways to cut back. Inline hockey and sports in general are a great past time.

[InlineMBA]

Just curious to know what people will do when the prices go up to $6.00. Will people and teams still play? I have not seen the effects yet at my rink but I know a few years ago when gas went up, I lost players and teams. I hope people stick it out and find other ways to cut back. Inline hockey and sports in general are a great past time.

Hey Justin -

Congrat's on the new addition. START SAVING MONEY NOW ! ! !

As for gas prices, I don't think it will affect house leagues, or even Regionals, that much. Where I see a concern is the cost to fly to Nationals. I bought my airline tickets a long time ago for NARCh, and got a great price. However, I just started looking at airfares for State Wars, and we're going to probably have to pass on that one. Been there for the first three State Wars, we'll sure miss not being at IV.

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[William Bourque]

I think so.

The gas prices have already changed my summer job. For the past three years i've worked in South Jersey and live in Central Bucks Country. Because of the cost of gas, i actually bring home more money by taking a $5/hr pay cut and working 80 miles closer to home (round trip).

Hockey wise, i know plenty of people who use to drive 40+ minutes Pottstown to play in men's leagues and open hockey, but will most likely be making the move back to Feasterville (10 minutes) in the coming season.

Additionally, for the past ten years, me and my friends have driven to Florida for 10 days to play in tournaments that span two weekends. It started with out parents taken us, and then going alone once we were 18, and then the fun at 21. But with the cost of gas where it is, we won't be making the trip this year for the first time.

[minutemen]

Thanks Steve, farther hood has been fun and expensive. Yes we are saving. Also I am starting a sports web page business, so that will bring in a good salary. Yeah I figured it would effect Nationals as for adult leagues rinks will lose a handful of players that travel some distance to play and maybe a team or two. Hope all is well with the family, tell everyone I said hi.

[PGHhockey]

As far as the kids go, I doubt gas prices will affect it much. Most parents would rather sacrifice themselves (and their money) than tell their kid they can't play hockey because gas is too expensive.

Adults, on the other hand, could face issues. All you guys graduating and leaving NCRHA are probably having trouble finding jobs.

[minutemen]

yeah I think so as well. Parents would not tell there kids they can't play, that would be wrong. Your right about the college players. Man what a tough time to graduate, tough to get a job and economy is bad. Well my advice move back in with the parents and save money. Stop wasting money at the bars and learn to save money each month.

[zipyaj]

As referenced earlier in the thread AAU High School Nationals 2008 (05-27-2008), the May 2007 event attendance included a field of 28 teams from six states down to a mere 17 schools from four states in May 2008.

Questions still seeking answers... Is the drop due to the increased costs of travel?

Gas prices in our area (Orange County, CA) have hit $4.45/gallon! An SUV driving from the L.A. area to NARCh in San Jose could expect to cost $250+ in fuel alone. Assuming a Trade Area of 25 miles, a round trip to an area rink for either a game or practice is now about $15 (SUV averages) - more if driving a Hummer or less if driving a Hybrid hockeymobile.

Will gas prices effect Sports? In this observer's opinion, they already have and will continue to do so.

As fuel costs increase, I forecast some effects being that teams who play in leagues at more than one facility will increasingly resist in their willingness to travel. This will force more conference or local play. For leagues that routinely travel distances to compete, bigger budgets and additional efforts toward fundraising will have to offset the costs. The spill effect onto energy costs will impact operator's cost of operations and result in increases in rink fees. While I don't have a crystal ball, but if gas hits another dollar increase, or more, the impact on travel clubs and event participation could suggest that event promoters start tightening their belts and saving for rainy days ahead.

[Leaferguy]

Cross country running will become a very popular sport, I can tell you that much...

[PGHhockey]

yeah I think so as well. Parents would not tell there kids they can't play, that would be wrong. Your right about the college players. Man what a tough time to graduate, tough to get a job and economy is bad. Well my advice move back in with the parents and save money. Stop wasting money at the bars and learn to save money each month.

Couldn't be more true. I'm a bit older than the recent grads (out of college 5 years now) - but I still get out with some younger friends once in a while. These guys complain about not being able to move out, not having a nicer car, not having enough money to come with me when our team travels...

All while downing their $7.50 beer and trying to make conversation with some ditzy blonde for which they just bought an $8 mixed drink in hopes that maybe they'll get to take her home.

Here's a better idea: why don't we round up all of the crybaby players that constantly yell at the refs and get them a part-time job officiating? A good ref is ALWAYS in demand :)

And if that fails - you can borrow a couple grand from your rich uncle and start a new Professional Inline League. I hear those are in demand as well :)

Growing up sucks.

[5280]

Absolutely. As has been mentioned, local house leagues won't feel a direct pinch, but when money is tight, every family has to reevaluate discretionary spending like sports leagues.

But, for me, as a youth parent, the killer is travel tourneys. We live in the Denver area and have two kids who play tourneys at Tour in Colorado Springs. 60 miles door-to-door. 120 miles round trip. At 15 MPG for the big vehicle to haul everyone, that's 8 gallons of gas....$32 in gas on top of $40 tourney fees....It's enough of a difference to make us think. Especially with a tourney coming up that will involve multiple days, and so multiple trips.


We're the exception...we're hardcore. We'll keep doing this. But, for folks who are only marginally involved, it has to make a difference.

[RichardGraham]

Great topic for discussion, Minutemen. I've been wondering the same thing. Perhaps it will actually benefit house-league play, as people won't have to travel so far to participate?

[old_donkey_14]

As a parent of 4 (3 girls 1 boy) i can tell you my Oldest is 15 and she plays basketball in a house type league and shes in AAU and Gas prices aren't a factor for me. Since my parents sacrificed when i played Town, Travel and pickup Hockey i will do the same for my kids while the 15 YO is the only one old enough to cost me $$ (the others are 7, 6,3) no matter what the cost of gas goes to i will sacrifice my leagues for theirs....i mean lest face it any of you out there who are married with children know that 2 inline and 1 Ice house league, Tourneys, plus a PIHA season does not make for a happy wife anyway.

[matattack05]

It already does with the guys I play with. We used to play 3+ times a week now we only get about 1-2.

[CUDangled]

Energy prices overall are rising...don't be surprised when your league fees get jacked up too. Cost more the rink to be cooled/heating and the staff to drive to work.

:(

[matattack05]

It sucks, everything is going up except wages...its bull!