The NFL is intensifying its commitment to flag football by announcing plans to establish a professional league supported by some of the most prominent figures in global sports. The league will collaborate with Tiger Woods’ TMRW Sports to develop the competition, with high-profile investors including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Joe Montana.
This impressive roster of backers underscores the NFL’s ambition to elevate flag football into a major international sport. Numerous current and former NFL players are also investing, such as Larry Fitzgerald, Russell Wilson, Eli Manning, Bobby Wagner, Justin Tuck, Ryan Nece, Dhani Jones, and active player Arik Armstead.
Notably, the league has attracted support from global sports icons beyond football, including tennis legends Serena Williams and Billie Jean King, former USWNT star Alex Morgan, and Ilana Kloss. Larry Fitzgerald emphasized the league’s potential as a proving ground for emerging talent, highlighting the sport’s rapid expansion and promising future.
Flag football is among the fastest-growing sports worldwide, with an estimated 20 million participants globally. In the United States alone, youth involvement has surged to around 4.1 million players, representing a growth of over 50 percent since 2020. The sport is now played at the high school level in 39 states, with female participation experiencing a sharp rise, including nearly 60 percent growth projected between 2024 and 2025.
In a significant development, the NFL confirmed that the new league will feature both men’s and women’s competitions, aligning with the Olympic flag football format set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This initiative aims to create a clear pathway from youth and school levels to professional play and ultimately Olympic competition.
However, several important details remain undisclosed, including the league’s official name, structure, and player selection process. The NFL has approved an investment of up to $32 million through its investment arm, 32 Equity, to support the league’s launch and ongoing operations.
TMRW Sports, co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, was chosen after a thorough evaluation of multiple potential operators. Planning and design efforts will continue over the coming months, with the league’s launch expected to coincide with the lead-up to the 2028 Olympics.
With the involvement of global sports stars, rapid growth in participation, and the momentum of Olympic inclusion, the NFL’s latest venture into flag football is gaining significant traction, even as many key aspects remain confidential.
