Organized youth sports are widely seen by Americans as a valuable part of childhood, but the AP-Ipsos poll shows access is more common in higher-income households. About half of U.S. parents with K-12 school-aged children said their kids play a structured sport, including roughly 7 in 10 parents with household income of at least $100,000 a year and about 4 in 10 with lower income. Parents cited benefits including teamwork, physical fitness, resilience, friendship and less screen time, even as many said scheduling, travel, fees and equipment create strain. About two-thirds of sports parents estimated spending up to $2,000 a year on equipment, fees, training and travel, and many said the long-term appeal also includes hopes of better college admission odds, athletic scholarships or NIL money (earnings from name, image and likeness rights).