NFL Goes Deep with Olympics Push for Flag Football

Flag football could be part of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles — with the help of America’s most popular professional sports league. 

The NFL has had its sights on expanding its reach through flag football as it looks to grow its international business to $1 billion annually over the next 10 years. The league believes that flag football as an Olympic sport could expedite the process of attracting new fans. 

• The IOC will meet in December to decide whether flag football will be an Olympic sport.
• The LA28 organizing committee will also make recommendations for additional sports. 

Flag football has a unique opportunity to showcase its viability as an Olympic sport this month. 

The World Games — an international, multi-sport event — are featuring flag football for the very first time during a 10-day long competition that began on July 7 in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Long Time Coming 

American football hasn’t been recognized as an Olympic sport since the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles — when it was included as a demonstration sport. The sport’s chances have been hampered by the fact that teams require at least a one-week gap between games. 

However, the IOC has had the sport on its radar since the International Federation of American Football became recognized as a governing body by the organization in 2013.

The IOC’s support is likely to help flag football’s case.