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The NFL is "exploring very aggressively" making flag football a professional sport, commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters Monday during his annual Super Bowl week press conference. 

Why it matters: Investors have been rushing the field to prop up new startup sports leagues, from volleyball to track and field, as live sports media rights grow in value.

Zoom in: Goodell did not give many specifics, but said the league could create a pro league for both men and women.

"This is something that we've been working on for several months," Goodell said. "And there's a tremendous amount of interest from players, from investors, to people who recognize, particularly, that women sports are in a place where it's real and it's something we all want to be part of."

The NFL could either be the lead organizer or take on more of a collaborator role, according to Sports Business Journal.

The big picture: Flag football has gained in popularity partially driven by the NFL itself, as concerns over the long-term impact of head injuries from tackle football persist.

The NFL played a big role in getting flag football to be in the next Summer Olympics in 2028.

Several states, including Louisiana (where the Super Bowl is being held on Sunday), have sanctioned the sport on the high school level.

The American Flag Football League, a separate professional league featuring four teams, is scheduled to launch this spring.

NFL considering professional flag football league

Flag football has been gaining in popularity ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings has his flag pulled by Derwin James Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter in the NFL Pro Bowl Games 

The NFL has turned its Pro Bowl into a flag football competition since 2022. Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The NFL is &quot;exploring very aggressively&quot; making flag football a professional sport, commissioner Roger Goodell <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told reporters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/roger-goodell-says-nfl-could-start-a-professional-flag-football-league" data-vars-content-id="952ef5d3-4db6-49b5-8054-0f255adc8268" data-vars-headline="NFL considering professional flag football league" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/roger-goodell-says-nfl-could-start-a-professional-flag-football-league" target="_blank">told reporters</a> Monday during his annual Super Bowl week press conference. Why it matters: Investors have been rushing the field to prop up new startup sports leagues, from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="volleyball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2025/01/07/womens-sports-investors-bet-on-volleyball-breakout" data-vars-content-id="952ef5d3-4db6-49b5-8054-0f255adc8268" data-vars-headline="NFL considering professional flag football league" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2025/01/07/womens-sports-investors-bet-on-volleyball-breakout" target="_self">volleyball</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="track and field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2024/08/06/track-and-field-duael-track-grand-slam-track" data-vars-content-id="952ef5d3-4db6-49b5-8054-0f255adc8268" data-vars-headline="NFL considering professional flag football league" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2024/08/06/track-and-field-duael-track-grand-slam-track" target="_self">track and field</a>, as live sports media rights grow in value.

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NFL considering professional flag football league

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