NFL and Athletes Invested in Flag Football League
A new professional flag football league has launched to support the sport's rapid growth ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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The NFL has partnered with TMRW Sports to launch a professional flag football league featuring investments from high-profile athletes and business leaders. This initiative follows the inclusion of flag football in the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games.
Why it matters
Flag football has gained massive popularity due to its low barrier to entry regarding equipment and reduced injury risk compared to traditional tackle football. The sport is now the fastest-growing high school activity, creating a pipeline for future collegiate and professional opportunities.
Currently, 40 NCAA schools offer flag football as a collegiate sport. This follows a surge in interest that saw participation among high school girls rise by 551 percent over a four-year period.
The players
NFL
The professional football organization that oversees the sport in the United States and has partnered with TMRW Sports.
Lamar Jackson
An NFL quarterback who launched the Lady Dreamers flag football team in 2020 through his foundation.
TMRW Sports
A sports entertainment company that is partnering with the NFL to launch the new professional flag football league.
Peyton Manning
A retired NFL quarterback who is one of the high-profile investors in the new professional flag football league.
Serena Williams
A professional tennis icon and investor who is contributing to the growth of the new professional flag football league.
The details
The league, developed by the NFL and TMRW Sports, has attracted investors including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, and Serena Williams. The movement to formalize the sport is also supported by individual foundations, such as the Forever Dreamers Foundation founded by Lamar Jackson, which launched the Lady Dreamers team in 2020.
Timeline
Lamar Jackson launched the Lady Dreamers team in 2020.
Approximately 102,360 girls played high school flag football during the 2025-2026 season.
Team USA flag football will debut at the Olympics in 2028.
Season Trajectory
The formalization of a professional league follows the National Federation of State High School Associations' participation tracking, which identified flag football as the fastest-growing high school activity. This investment stabilizes the sport's long-term future leading into the 2028 Olympics.
The expansion of collegiate programs to 40 schools creates a new athletic recruitment pipeline for students. For the league itself, the NFL aims to sustain this momentum by planning future growth opportunities for athletes beyond the Olympic cycle.
The takeaway
Flag football is transitioning from a grassroots activity to a major professional and collegiate sport supported by elite athletes. Fans and aspiring athletes can expect increased availability of organized leagues and competitive pathways in the coming years.
What happens next
Team USA flag football is scheduled to debut at the 2028 Olympics.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Football.
Live Poll
Would you attend professional flag football games if a league became available in your area?
