The NFL is gearing up for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. With the event just a few years away, the league voted Wednesday to fund and launch a professional flag football league, the NFL announced.
The move allows the NFL to enter into an agreement with a partner and invest up to $32 million in the league. NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said Wednesday that the move was “a critical step in establishing flag football as a premier global sport.”
“Today’s vote represents a critical step in establishing flag football as a premier global sport. We are developing the infrastructure to accelerate the game’s growth to new heights by creating a clear pathway for aspiring athletes to progress from youth and high school programs through college and now to the professional level. We look forward to forming a partnership to bring this vision to life and deliver a world-class professional flag football experience for elite athletes and fans alike.”
By announcing the creation of a new professional flag football league, the NFL is capitalizing on the sport, which it described as one of the “fastest growing” around the world. It is also making sure it can develop players ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The 2028 Olympics will mark the first time flag football will be included as an Olympic sport.
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In May, the NFL approved a resolution allowing NFL players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics. Injury protection and salary cap credit will be offered to NFL teams that lose players to injury during the Olympics.
There are restrictions on how many players an NFL team can send to the 2028 Olympics. Each club will allow up to one of their players to play on each country’s team.
Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson is among the players who have expressed interest in taking part in the Olympics. He was present when the league voted to allow NFL players to take part in the games, saying it was a “dream” to win a gold medal.
