Serena Williams and Ice Cube Team Up for Possible Women's Flag Football League

The NFL is reportedly exploring the creation of a professional women's flag football league, with some big names already expressing interest.

Tennis legend Serena Williams and her entrepreneur husband Alexis Ohanian, through their investment firm 776, are said to be in discussions with the league, according to Bloomberg. Other notable figures, including rapper-turned-business mogul Ice Cube and his partner Jeff Kwatinetz, are also reportedly putting forth proposals.

In total, the NFL is considering at least 10 different pitches, including those from TKO Group Holdings—a spin-off formed from the 2023 WWE-UFC merger—and Avenue Capital Group, led by former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry. Media company SMAC Entertainment, backed by Michael Strahan, and Connect Ventures—a partnership between Creative Artists Agency and New Enterprise Associates—have also thrown their hats in the ring.

Flag football, a faster-paced and less contact-heavy version of traditional football, has been steadily gaining traction. The NFL has supported its growth through initiatives like NFL Flag, which funds youth participation in the sport. It will even make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. However, it’s still unclear if active NFL players will be allowed to participate in the Olympics.

The idea of a professional flag football league seems to have captured widespread interest. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the buzz during this week's annual meetings in Florida, saying, "It's clear there's a lot of interest in a pro flag league." He also confirmed that several proposals from investors have landed on the league's desk.

While the potential league is still in the planning stages, women’s flag football has already made strides in the U.S., with 14 states sanctioning it as a varsity sport at the high school level. Some colleges have even begun forming official teams.

Flag football is also considered a global sport, with participation in roughly 100 countries. With such a broad reach, the NFL's potential venture could be a game-changer for women’s sports. However, details like investment requirements for the league remain under wraps, and none of the parties involved have commented publicly yet.

For now, fans will have to wait and see if Serena Williams, Ice Cube, and others will help bring a pro women's flag football league to life.