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Women’s Flag Football NIL Potential: Could Stars Earn Like Caitlin Clark?

Originally posted on Sportscasting | By David Evans | Last updated May 8, 2025 4:08 PM ET

Women’s flag football is at a pivotal moment. Rapid growth at the youth and high school levels, success at NAIA schools, and the NFL’s strategic investment are pushing the sport closer to mainstream adoption. With flag football debuting in the 2028 Olympics, the next few years could see women’s flag become an official NCAA sport, opening the door to major NIL opportunities for athletes.

Women’s Flag Football Growth: Youth to College

Women’s flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. In 2023, nearly 500,000 girls aged 6 to 17 played flag football, a 63% increase since 2019. At the high school level, participation more than doubled in one year, with 42,955 girls playing on school teams in 2023-24. This boom is driven by grassroots initiatives, NFL backing, and state-level adoption of flag football as a varsity sport.

At the college level, the sport is gaining momentum primarily through NAIA programs. In 2024, 19 NAIA schools fielded varsity women’s flag teams, up from 13 the previous year. NCAA interest is growing too, with around 65 schools offering women’s flag football teams at the club or varsity club level. With the Olympic debut on the horizon, more schools are likely to elevate their programs to varsity status.

Why the 2028 Olympics Could Change Women’s Flag Football Forever

Women’s flag football’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics is a game-changer. Olympic exposure has historically turned niche sports into mainstream ones, as seen with women’s soccer after the 1996 Atlanta Games. The NFL pushed hard for flag football to be included in the Olympics, seeing it as a way to legitimize the sport globally. When Team USA competes on the Olympic stage, collegiate stars who make the roster could see their marketability skyrocket.

This Olympic moment could catapult players from college athletes to household names. Flag football stars who excel on this stage could attract lucrative endorsements, similar to how Caitlin Clark turned her March Madness success into a $3.1 million NIL portfolio. Olympic athletes are typically seen as highly marketable, and flag football’s debut could attract brands looking to capitalize on the sport’s fast, accessible gameplay.

How NCAA Adoption Could Transform Women’s Flag Football

Right now, women’s flag football is primarily an NAIA sport, but its path to the NCAA is becoming clearer. The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics recently recommended adding women’s flag to the Emerging Sports for Women program, which would give it a 10-year window to gain full championship status. If approved, women’s flag football could become a full-fledged NCAA sport by the early 2030s.

Title IX considerations make flag football an attractive addition. It provides a way for colleges to balance the high roster numbers of men’s tackle football without the costs associated with other women’s contact sports. The NFL has actively supported this development, funding programs and equipment to help schools establish teams.

The NIL Potential for Women’s Flag Football Athletes

Ashlea Klam Highlight

What else would you expect from the nation’s leader in interceptions?! BTW, she has 14 this season#DefendTheBeach #SCTop10 #SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/MmGicbEquC

— Keiser Women’s Flag Football (@Keiser_WFlagFB) April 19, 2025

Today, NIL opportunities for women’s flag football players are modest compared to other sports. Even top NAIA athletes like Addison Orsborn and Ashlea Klam typically earn a few thousand dollars through local sponsorships. This pales in comparison to women’s basketball stars like Caitlin Clark, who has secured deals with major brands like Nike and Gatorade.

However, if women’s flag football becomes an NCAA sport, the NIL landscape could change significantly. With increased media coverage and exposure from Olympic success, top flag players could approach mid-six-figure annual earnings, similar to athletes in women’s volleyball or softball.

An Olympic gold medalist from a flagship NCAA program could even reach a valuation approaching seven figures, especially if backed by brands linked to the NFL.

If NCAA women’s flag football gains traction, its top players could realistically hit $100,000–$300,000 annually within five years, particularly if they leverage social media effectively.

For comparison, men’s football stars like Arch Manning have NIL valuations around $6.5 million.

Why the NFL Is Betting Big on Women’s Flag Football

The NFL’s investment in women’s flag football is strategic. By funding youth leagues and promoting college programs, the NFL is building a pipeline from grassroots to potential professional opportunities. The NFL sees flag football as a way to grow the sport among women while also boosting its own brand.

What a blessing. Thank you @HoustonTexans for giving me this amazing opportunity. Let’s get flag football sanctioned!! pic.twitter.com/DMlUHsW2p2

— Ashlea Klam (@AshleaKlam) April 26, 2025

The NFL has showcased women’s flag football players at major events like the Super Bowl and the NFL Draft, giving athletes like Ashlea Klam national visibility. This mainstream push could lead to bigger NIL opportunities as the sport grows, especially if brands already aligned with the NFL start endorsing flag football stars.

From Local Stars to National Icons: The Path Forward

Currently, women’s flag football players are mostly local celebrities. However, the combination of NCAA adoption and Olympic exposure could turn them into national icons. If players like Orsborn and Klam lead Team USA to success, they could secure major endorsements and become the faces of the sport.

The NFL’s backing and the Olympics’ global reach could create a perfect storm for growth. As more schools add varsity flag football and media coverage increases, the sport could follow the path of women’s basketball, where charismatic players become household names.

A Sport Ready to Break Out

Women’s flag football is on the cusp of a major breakthrough. NCAA adoption and Olympic visibility could take the sport from niche to mainstream within the next decade. With the NFL’s support and growing grassroots interest, the next few years will determine whether women’s flag football can develop its own superstars and rival the earning power of athletes like Caitlin Clark.

This article first appeared on Sportscasting and was syndicated with permission.

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