NFL explores new women's flag football league with high-profile investors
- The NFL is soliciting proposals from potential investors for new men’s and women’s flag football leagues.
- High-profile investors like Serena Williams and Ice Cube are among those expressing interest in the venture.
- The establishment of these leagues coincides with the upcoming Olympic debut of flag football in 2028, indicating a strategic move to capitalize on its growing popularity.
In the United States, the NFL is actively exploring the launch of professional men's and women's flag football leagues. Despite its status as a multi-billion-dollar organization, the NFL seeks external partners to invest in these new ventures. Recently, high-profile individuals such as Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian have been reported to be in discussions with the NFL regarding potential investments through their venture capital firm, 776. Alongside them, other notable entities, including Ice Cube and Michael Strahan's SMAC Entertainment, are also interested in financially backing these leagues. The NFL's interest in developing flag football leagues comes at a strategic time, particularly with the inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This upcoming event is anticipated to significantly elevate the sport's visibility and popularity. The NFL's initiatives, such as the NFL Flag program, have already been laying the groundwork to promote youth participation in flag football. Currently, the league is considering multiple proposals from various investment groups, suggesting a robust level of interest from various sectors. Potential partners include TKO Group Holdings, the company that emerged from the merger of WWE and UFC, and Avenue Capital Group, led by Marc Lasry, former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. Other notable groups such as Connect Ventures, associated with talent and sports agency CAA, are also submitting proposals. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has confirmed this interest at recent league meetings, noting the substantial growth potential for flag football as a spectator and participatory sport, particularly among younger generations. As the NFL assesses these proposals, the focus remains on fostering the sport's long-term development, especially for women, as 14 states in the U.S. have already sanctioned women's flag football at the high school level. The league's commitment to expanding flag football reflects its broader strategy to engage new audiences and enhance the overall growth of American football. With flag football's debut on the Olympic stage imminent, establishing a dedicated professional league appears to be a natural progression, aligning with the NFL's mission to promote the sport and its values effectively.