Nike and NFL Partner to Grow Girls Flag Football

Nike and the NFL have announced a new grant initiative to grow girls’ involvement in flag football, committing $5 million to grow the game within high school athletics.

This multi-year initiative will provide a one-time donation of up to $100,000 in products that will be given to state athletic associations that offer girls flag football as a high school sport. Others that demonstrate progress through a pilot program beginning in 2021 will also be eligible.

The state of Florida will receive the first grant as it has promoted girls flag football for 10 years. Nike will commit to provide flag football uniforms, socks and accessories such as sports bras, which will be distributed to each participating state’s governing interscholastic or athletic association at their discretion. Six states sanction high school flag football for girls (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and New York), but NFL officials hope additional support will help other states launch similar programs.

“The expansion of girls flag football is essential to the growth of the game and preservation of the values it has contributed to society for decades,” said Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. “Girls flag demonstrates that football is for all, and the greater the participation, the stronger the game, and the more young women can build the transferable skills football provides for achieving success in life.”

Nike has also committed to evolve its 11-Online football training series to include a learning track designed specifically for flag football athletes. The program will feature how-to drills with comprehensive training instruction, including team-building and leadership development. Nike’s Stronger Than One Series will also launch a film focused on highlighting women and young girls who are blazing paths forward in football.