Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: NFL's Expected Decision On 2028 Summer Olympics

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 20, 2025 11:58 AM ET

The NFL will decide whether to allow players to participate in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, NFL owners will vote on the resolution during Tuesday's league meeting in Minnesota. The proposal is reportedly expected to receive the necessary approval from 24 of 32 owners to pass.

One source told Schefter that it "should be easy" to reach a vote that would continue the negotiation process of letting NFL players compete on the international stage.

For the first time, the Olympics will introduce flag football during the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. NFL players have expressed interest in participating, and owners such as Jerry Jones have endorsed the idea.

"That's exciting and positive for the NFL," Jones said, per ESPN's Stephen Holder and Kevin Seifert. "I can see that and identify with that real quick... I'm a fan of what the Olympics can do for interest in your sport."

If passed, the resolution wouldn't finalize the issue, but rather authorize the NFL to continue negotiating the process with the NFL Players Association to "establish rules" and "address injury risk."

The measure would allow any NFL player under contract to try out for an Olympic flag football team. However, each NFL team would be limited to one player participating, not including a designated international player.

The resolution calls for insurance policies to protect injured players and a salary cap credit for injuries. Any nation's Olympic flag football team must also meet league standards for playing surfaces and medical staffs for NFL players to participate.

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 8: The Olympic rings is seen in Gangneung town, near the venue for the Speed Skating, Figure Skating and Ice Hockey ahead of PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on February 8, 2017 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Olympics and NFL must arrange a schedule that "does not unreasonably conflict with an NFL player's League and club commitments." The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled from July 14-30.

Holder and Seifert reported that the final details "remain a long way off." Under current discussions, the United States would be limited to selecting 10 NFL players.

"Making sure that we, the league, clubs, players, players association, everyone's taking all of the right precautionary measures in the event that someone wants to go represent the country, that is still a work in progress," NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: