NFL Partners with TMRW Sports to Launch Professional Flag Football League
The National Football League (NFL) has partnered with TMRW Sports, a sports and entertainment venture founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, to develop and operate a new professional flag football league for both men and women. The league aims to capitalize on the growing popularity of flag football, which will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games .
Investment and Support
NFL team owners voted in December to invest upwards of $30 million to facilitate launch the new league . The league has also garnered support from a diverse group of investors, including current and former NFL players such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Larry Fitzgerald, Russell Wilson, and Arik Armstead . Prominent figures from other sports, including Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Alex Morgan, have invested in the league .
Growth of Flag Football
Flag football is experiencing rapid growth globally, with approximately 20 million players worldwide . In the United States alone, approximately 4.1 million youth participate in the sport, representing a more than 50% increase since 2020 . The inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is expected to further boost the sport’s visibility and participation .
TMRW Sports and the NFL
TMRW Sports, already operating a high-tech indoor golf league called TGL, was selected by the NFL from a pool of approximately a dozen groups bidding to grow an operational partner . Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is a financial backer of TMRW Sports .
Looking Ahead
The launch timeline for the new professional flag football league is expected to align with the lead-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics . Further details regarding the league’s structure, team composition, and branding are yet to be announced.