NFL owners on Tuesday passed a proposal to allow the league’s players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The measure needed only 24 of 32 vote to pass but ended up with unanimous approval at the NFL’s annual meetings in Minneapolis. The NFL Players Association and Olympic officials now must sign off on the idea, but it seems like the concept of a “Dream Team” for flag football is approaching reality.
“It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”
Flag football has exploded in popularity in recent years, moving from a recreational and intramural activity to a widespread youth league and high school varsity sport. In addition, the NFL has done away with a full-contact Pro Bowl all-star game in favor of a flag football game in recent years.
According to a report by ESPN, the NFL will limit one player per team participating on each national team (including non-Americans who can play for their home country). The league will also provide insurance policies to protect against injury and provide salary cap credits for participating players.
Olympic flag football will consist of six men’s teams and six women’s teams, with 10 players on each team. The on-field version of the game will be 5-on-5.
The 2028 Olympics take place from July 14-30, which would overlap with the start of NFL training camps. Exhibition games typically begin the first week of August.