The NFL owners met on Tuesday to discuss whether or not to allow its players to participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. After a unanimous vote, the league approved the provision to allow active players to participate in flag football.
Now official: NFL owners voted today to permit players to participate in flag football at the 2028 summer Olympics in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/KiZoq1QdRn
– Adam Scha after (@Adamscha after) May 20, 2025
Get ready to see the NFL in the 2028 Summer Olympics
This discussion had been ongoing for nearly two years with the addition of flag football to the 2028 Summer Olympics. Although they will now be allowed, there are some other provisions that come along with the approval.
Each NFL team is limited to sending just one player from its team to participate in the national team at the Olympics. There will also be salary cap credits given to any player who gets injured during the Games.
Some owners, such as Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, raised concerns about the July timing of the Olympics, which would overlap with training camps in late July. However, that didn’t stop the players from being interested, with several stars expressing a desire to represent their country.
This move supports the league’s larger strategy to grow the sport globally through professional flag football leagues for both men and women. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the decision a “tremendous opportunity” for players to compete on the world stage.
This will be the first time NFL players have ever been a part of the Olympic Gamesjoining athletes from the NBA and NHL, who’ve participated for years.
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