Michael Strahan helps launch $500K women’s flag football tournament ahead of 2028 Olympics
TheGrio...
The inaugural Grand Slam of Flag will bring six national teams to Los Angeles in 2027 ahead of flag football’s Olympic debut.
Michael Strahan is helping launch Grand Slam of Flag, an international women’s flag football tournament offering a $500,000 prize pool ahead of the sport’s 2028 Olympic debut. The former New York Giants star has discussed his off-field ventures with TheGrio, while other NFL players have expressed interest in Olympic gold through flag football.
In an Instagram announcement shared by Boardroom, Strahan said, “Football has given me so much throughout my life,” and welcomed the growing attention surrounding women’s flag football. The inaugural event is scheduled for Los Angeles in February 2027, during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
Organizers have invited women’s national teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Spain and China. They describe the $500,000 prize pool as the largest ever offered in women’s flag football.
The series was announced October 13 by SMAC Entertainment, the company Strahan co-founded with Constance Schwartz-Morini, alongside Creative Artists Agency and EverWonder Studio. Strahan will serve as a founding partner.
Sam Rapoport, a former Canadian national team quarterback and longtime NFL executive, will serve as commissioner. She spent more than two decades at the league helping expand opportunities for women and girls in football.
The competition is being developed in consultation with the NFL and in association with the International Federation of American Football. The international governing body classifies the opening event as a friendly invitational, meaning its results will not count toward international rankings.
Rapoport said the series would give elite women athletes a larger international stage as their sport prepares to join the Olympic program. Organizers also hope to secure broadcasting arrangements and commercial partners to support further competitions.
The launch comes as flag football gains ground beyond international tournaments. USA Football says more than 20 states now recognize girls’ flag football as a high school varsity sport, while colleges are considering expanded championship opportunities.
Grand Slam of Flag is expected to continue beyond its Los Angeles debut, although the organizers have yet to announce additional host cities, dates or broadcast details. The first event will offer six national teams a high-profile competition before the 2028 Olympics.