Serena Williams and her husband have placed a bid for an NFL flag football enterprise
The National Football League (NFL) is making significant strides in the development of professional flag football leagues for both men and women. In a confirmation made by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in February 2025, work on these leagues is well underway, with sources close to the league describing Goodell's statement as an "understatement" of the progress being made [2].
The NFL's focus on flag football has been evident in its investment in growing the sport at the youth and high school levels, with a particular emphasis on increasing women's participation. The increasing popularity of flag football, coupled with its inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games, has created a stronger pipeline and greater legitimacy for the sport, making a pro league a natural next step [1][3].
While there is no explicit confirmation on the involvement of Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian as investors in the NFL's planned pro flag football leagues as of mid-2025, the NFL has engaged notable athletes such as Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson as co-owners and chairmen of NFL Flag initiatives, reflecting a strategy to involve influential figures in growing the sport [2].
However, recent reports suggest that Williams and Ohanian have submitted a bid as potential investors for the NFL's planned pro flag football leagues for both men and women [4]. The NFL is actively working on the process of receiving bids for the pro flag league, with a deadline for submissions this week [5].
The NFL's plans for the pro flag football leagues extend beyond just investment, as the league is considering investing in the leagues but intends for other partners to operate them [6]. Once the leagues become operational, the NFL plans to sell media rights for the leagues [7].
Despite the progress made, no specific timeline for the launch of the pro flag leagues or franchise locations has been provided. The NFL has been tight-lipped about the details of the other nine companies that have approached them about investing in the venture [3].
Roger Goodell has expressed his anticipation for progress on the pro flag league, stating that there is a lot of interest in the project [8]. The NFL's move into professional flag football is part of its broader strategy to capitalize on the sport's rising popularity and Olympic inclusion, aiming to create sustainable growth for flag football through grassroots, scholastic, and eventually professional levels [9].
Serena Williams attended the NFL owners meetings last week as part of a panel conversation on women's sports [10]. The information about the bids was reported by Front Office Sports [11]. The Sports Business Journal has reported that ten companies have approached the NFL about investing in the venture [12].
As the NFL continues to make progress in the development of its professional flag football leagues, the sports world eagerly awaits more updates on this exciting new venture.
- The NFL's focus on flag football, evident in its investment in growing the sport, includes an emphasis on increasing women's participation, contributing to the rising popularity and legitimacy of the sport.
- While there's no official confirmation about Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian's investment in the NFL's planned pro flag football leagues, recent reports suggest they have submitted a bid for possible involvement.
- The NFL has engaged notable athletes like Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson as co-owners and chairmen of NFL Flag initiatives, reflecting a strategy to involve influential figures in growing the sport.
- In addition to its involvement, the NFL plans to sell media rights for the pro flag football leagues once they become operational, signaling a broader strategy to capitalize on flag football's rising popularity and Olympic inclusion.
