NAIA Named Big Game Official Ball Partner
The collegiate association selected the manufacturer as the inaugural official ball partner for women's flag football.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Football
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The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has selected Big Game as its first official ball partner for women's flag football. This new agreement marks the latest expansion for the sport, which is the 31st championship category under the NAIA.
Why it matters
The partnership aims to accelerate the growth of women's flag football at the collegiate level by utilizing equipment specifically designed for female athletes. This move underscores the commitment of the NAIA to formalize and professionalize the development of the sport across its member institutions.
Women's flag football now stands as the 31st championship sport for the NAIA. The organization previously oversaw 30 championship categories, serving a total of 87,000 student-athletes who receive $1.3 billion in annual financial aid.
The players
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, this association governs collegiate athletics for smaller institutions and manages 31 different championship sports.
Big Game
This Dallas-based manufacturer produces footballs in the United States and holds a significant market presence, with 94% of Power Four football programs utilizing its products.
The details
Big Game, based in Dallas, Texas, developed the Team Issue women's football using premium leather and a specific mid-size design. The product was engineered based on direct feedback from female athletes, coaches, and league officials to meet the unique requirements of the game.
Timeline
Big Game was founded in 1993.
The inaugural women's flag football championship season will begin in the spring of 2027.
The partnership agreement between the NAIA and Big Game expires in August 2029.
Season Trajectory
This partnership integrates women's flag football into the structured ecosystem of the NAIA's 31-sport championship roster. It establishes a standard of equipment quality as programs prepare for the inaugural season to begin in the spring of 2027.
The introduction of a standardized, athlete-designed ball will likely influence gameplay consistency across all new collegiate flag football programs. This agreement ensures that teams competing in the 2027 inaugural season will utilize equipment vetted for women's competitive play.
The takeaway
The partnership highlights the rising standard of specialized equipment as collegiate sports continue to evolve to meet the needs of diverse athletic programs. Fans and players can expect this move to foster a more professionalized environment as the sport heads toward its first official championship in 2027.
Further reading
For more on the development of collegiate athletics, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NAIA.
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