Serena Williams to potentially invest into women’s flag football league: report
The NFL is considering launching a professional women’s flag football league in the near future, in a move that could significantly impact the growth and popularity of the sport. The league is expected to attract high-profile investors, including tennis icon Serena Williams and her husband, tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, through their 776 investment firm.
According to Bloomberg, the NFL is currently evaluating at least 10 proposals for the new league, with potential investors such as TKO Group Holdings, Avenue Capital Group, and partners Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz in the mix. TKO Group Holdings, a conglomerate created by Endeavor, is the result of a merger between WWE and UFC in 2023.
Other notable investors vying for a stake in the new league include SMAC Entertainment, backed by former NFL player Michael Strahan, and Connect Ventures, a partnership between talent and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and venture firm New Enterprise Associates.
The NFL has been a long-time supporter of flag football, particularly in promoting youth participation in the sport through its NFL Flag initiative. The sport is set to be featured in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, although it remains uncertain whether active NFL players will be allowed to compete.
During a recent press conference, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the growing interest in a professional flag football league and confirmed that the league has received proposals from potential investors. Goodell also highlighted the attention flag football has been receiving, both at the annual meetings in Florida and during February’s Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Flag football is a global sport played in approximately 100 countries, with 14 U.S. states sanctioning women’s flag football as a varsity sport at the high school level. While a limited number of colleges have official women’s flag football teams, the potential launch of a professional league could open up new opportunities for female athletes in the sport.
As discussions continue and proposals are evaluated, the NFL’s potential investment in a professional women’s flag football league could have a significant impact on the sport’s long-term growth and development. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new venture in the world of flag football.
