The National Football League is currently trying to work with the NAIA to make women’s flag football a recognized college sport, according to ESPN.
The NAIA is a college athletics association that represents small college schools across the United States.
“Football is for everyone,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said regarding the partnership. “This groundbreaking and historic joint venture provides an opportunity for the values, fun and competitive environment of football to be enjoyed as a varsity sport by female student-athletes attending NAIA institutions across America.”
The inaugural season will begin in spring 2021, however, NAIA sports must have at least 15 schools participating to be considered an emerging sport, 25 to be considered an invitational and 40 schools to hold championship status.
“Increasing female participation in flag football has been a top priority for NFL FLAG,” RCX president and general manager Izell Reese said. “By teaming up with the NAIA, we’re able to create even more opportunities for young women to continue the sport they love, and potentially receive scholarships to continue their education and compete at the next level.”
It was back in January when we got introduced to Santia Deck after she signed a multimillion-dollar contract to become the face of the new Women’s Football League Association (WFLA) which is planning to debut in 2021.
