(*Disclaimer: Please excuse my ignorance on this topic, as I am still new to learning about American sports.)

Earlier today I was researching American High School Football when the fees caught my attention.

According to available info online, these fees are referred to as 'PTP' ('Pay to Play') and at first I figured these would be something reasonable, say: $100 per student/per year, considering that we are talking about high school students education.

However apparently 'PTP' fees are actually charged per student/per sport/per season/per game/per etcetera…and add up to somewhere in the order of around $660—$1000/per student/per year(?)

Is that right?

Or have I misunderstood something?

For an example, quoted from the AHSAA 2023 fees PDF:

•"AHSAA OFFICIAL’S FEES (Approved by the Central Board on 4/12/23.)"

•"ADMINISTRATION FEE:"

-"High School 100.00 per school, per sport ."

-"Middle School/Junior 75.00 per school, per sport. "

•"TRAVEL:"

-"Total miles are based on one way (not round trip) from each individual’s home address listed in Dragonfly."

-"Dragonfly list the total miles from the official’s home address to the address of the competition site."

-"0-60- $15.00"

-"61-120- $25.00"

-"121-180- $50.00"

-"181- More- $75.00"

-"A Maximum of 2 travels will be paid for a 2- 5 person crew."

-"A Maximum of 3 travels will be paid for a 6- 7 person crew."

•"FOOTBALL:"

-"Varsity (5 person crew) - $120/official, 2 travels."

-"Varsity (7 person crew) - $110/official, 3 travels."

-"Clock (Game and Play Clock)"

-"Operator Varsity - $65/official."

-"Chain Crew - $40/official."

-"SUB VARSITY:"

-"10min Quarters- $75"

-"8min Quarters-$65"

-"Clock Operator - $45/official"

-"Chain Crew - $40/official"

•"PLAYOFFS:"

-"1st Round (5 person crew) - $135/official, Alternate Clip - $90, ECO - $70."

-"1st Round (7 person crew) - $125/official, Alternate Clip - $90, ECO - $70 Playoffs."

-"2nd Round (7 person crew) - $135/official, Alternate Clip - $90, ECO - $70."

-"Playoffs Quarter-Finals (7 person crew) - $140/official, Alternate Clip - $105, ECO - $70."

-"Playoffs Semi-Finals (7 person crew) - $145/official, Alternate Clip - $120, ECO - $70."

-"State Finals (7 person crew) - $160/official, Alternates 130 and ECO - $90."

-"Playoffs Chain Crew if Officials -

$50/official."

•"FLAG FOOTBALL:"

-"Regular Season- $50/3 umpires (Only one contes being played)."

-"Regular Season- $40/3 umpires (More than one contes being played)."

-"Area Playoff Game- $50/3 umpires."

-"Quarter- Final Round Playoff Game- $55/4 umpire."

-"Semi- Final Round Playoff Game- $55/4 umpire."

-"State Championship Game- $60/4 umpire."

What does it actually cost an average American student to play HSF?

Are these 'PTP' fees fair or justified in your opinion?

What are your thoughts?