NFL legend partners with deep pockets of Unrivaled Sports to grow flag football

Flag football is getting another boost from NFL legend Drew Brees

Football in America, the youth league he launched in 2017, is teaming up with Unrivaled Sports

Football in America is the fourth flag football league to be bought by Unrivaled Sports

a youth sports holding company with more than 20 businesses in its portfolio

Unrivaled flag CEO Jim Reynolds said in a statement, Breeze will remain involved with the league

We're proud to work with Drew and the FNA team to create amazing athlete experiences

and define the standard for the sport as flag continues to grow

and gain popularity with girls and boys across the country. We're inspired by the momentum surrounding flag football as it heads to the global stage in 2028

and proud to help lead the charge in the youth space. Breeze, the New Orleans Saints legend who is eligible for the Hall of Fame next year

co-founded his league in order to grow the game for boys and girls

through the safer, non-tackle version of the sport. He believes flag football is becoming a gateway to other sports

and he often talks about his football journey, starting with flag at a young age

I didn't even put on my first set of pads or play tackle football until ninth grade

Up until then, it was flag football. And it was through flag football that I learned the fundamentals of the game and the skill set to play at the next level

I gained so much confidence and self while developing my passion and love for the game And it helped me quickly transition into the tackle football game when I chose to make that switch in high school The Olympics and the NFL are all in as well

Flag football will be a featured sport at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles

and will include NFL players. Commissioner Roger Goodell also announced the NFL will launch

professional flag football leagues for both men and women after the Olympics

I think I'm more excited about the young women. and they're finally getting a chance to participate in our sport

And they're able to do it in a way that's empowering to them

When you talk to these young players and you see what it does for them to feel more confidence

to feel the opportunity to play a game that was considered to be a male sport

they're now out there competing. And that'll be a big part of the Olympics in a few years

2.4 million kids under 17 are playing organized flag football in the U.S., with millions more participating around the world, according to the International Federation of American Football

Football in America runs 24 flag football leagues centered mostly in California, Louisiana, and Texas

Unrivaled Sports adds those leagues to its large stable of youth sports companies that also include baseball, soccer, and lacrosse organizations

The final terms of the deal were not disclosed, but both Breeze and Unrivaled Sports say they're excited about the resources that will be poured into the sport, creating new events and leagues in communities across the country

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Chris Francis