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NFL team owners voted unanimously in favor of allowing players to compete in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “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.”  

Approval required at least 24 of the 32 team owners vote in favor of the resolution as a first step in bringing pros to the flag football field in the Summer Games. Up next for the league is coming to terms with the NFL Players Association and International Olympic Committee on next steps.

The approval passed Wednesday permits no more than one player from each NFL team to participate in the games. It also would allow a team’s designated international player to play for his home country.

Under the proposed agreement, six men’s teams and six women’s teams consisting of 10 players apiece would compete in Los Angeles. NFL player participation representing their national flag football team would begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.

“Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics, and we’re excited that our members will be able to represent their country on the highest international stage,” said NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. “We look forward to working with the league, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job.”

The NFL proposal included a few caveats that would protect teams in case of injuries, including providing salary cap credit for any players hurt while participating and establishing “certain minimum standards for medical staff and field surfaces.”

The 2028 Summer Games are scheduled to take place from July 14-30, 2028. NFL players generally are off from mid-June until the start of training camp in late July.

–Field Level Media