The quest for success for spring football continues on, and personally I hope the models that both the USFL and the XFL have created work, and find great audiences, sell tickets, and give athletes, coaches and industry professionals at every level an opportunity at career success. Make the pie bigger.
But will it work? Still hard to see the clear large scale road forward, but both have had some wins this spring. Steady progressional wins are needed to prove if “spring football”…not the NFL Draft or The Combine, not high level college spring games, not even the CFL…is actually a thing.
However there is “a thing” in the spring for football that is steadily growing, co-ed, engages all ages, is highlight-filled and viable and by the way…has the backing of the deep pocketed NFL and the assistance of the governing body, USA Football, as a real viable opportunity at least to the global levels of country by country play and yes, even the Olympics, and gasp, it has even more potential as a media property than yes, professional pickleball.
It’s Flag Football, and for those not paying attention, you should. Flag has been approved for girls high school play now in New York and California. It is easy to understand and engage with, the cost of entry for teams is very low, there is a much smaller injury factor than tackle football, it is fast and fun to watch, and it is becoming the entry point for the game both on a casual fan level and on a competition level around the world.
No it’s not a new idea. Flag and tough have been around for decades. However what has been missing is the vision and the engine behind expansive growth, and the NFL has seen the light on how to expose the values and the level of fun competition to young people who may have never considered full contact, full pad football, or to their parents as well. And if you want to transition to full pads late in high school, the skills learned in flag pave the way, a way that is maybe even safer than the decades of pounding athletes take to get to elite college or prep school or even the NFL or the CFL. As we also see less contact during the week at the highest levels of football, flag has become a training alternative as well, so why not transfer it down.
Now a word of caution for all those jumping on board. Just because flag is growing in appeal doesn’t mean there needs to be “professional;” aspects to a league just yet. There are some who are trying, but the reality is if the base builds, the opportunity to see if there is a mass market fan game, vs. a recreational game, can be seeded down the road. No need to rush.
On the other revenue scales…statistics, content, storytelling, brand activation, entry fees and prize money, the volume is there and growing and the gateway is still pretty open for engagement. On the college level? Flag is played on the intramural and club level already, and for those schools looking for entry points at a varsity level, don’t think that college flag football…especially for young women…is that far off. Maybe a few years…yes a few years…not decades. It’s low cost, fun to play at a higher level. And that level of competition is growing. And by the way, it will be easier to field a team than for say, esports, another buzzworthy “what’s next” that has lost its way.
Also worth revisiting is the Olympic side with LA 2028 now coming into view. Take notice of the growth of flag not just in countries like Germany and the UK, but as “football” takes a stake in countries on the African continent or in India or even Australia. Again co-ed, fast, easy to play, somewhat safer, and with some resources and training, can be a pretty quick move up the international field of play.
So as the spring plays out and you notice the NFL Draft and those full contact spring leagues, take a look around for some flags. Chances are you will see more and more players, some crowds and a lot of fun…and that can quickly translate into growth with less of a barrier to entry than almost anything else that’s “hot” in the industry today.
Flag it now, because it’s got our attention.
