The NFL sent a memo to teams on Friday explaining that potential injuries suffered in the upcoming Fanatics Flag Football Classic would not be covered as a football-related injury under the collective bargaining agreement.
“The Event is not an NFL-sanctioned event and the league has no role in the organization or production of the game,” the league said, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “This Event is not covered by the resolution to permit NFL Players to participate in Olympic Flag Football. Therefore, if an NFL Player sustains an injury while participating in the Event, he is not entitled to any injury protection or any other rights related to that injury under his NFL Player Contract (‘Contract’) or the Collective Bargaining Agreement as a Football-Related Injury. Any injury sustained while participating in the Event will be considered a Non-Football Injury.”
The memo also explained that players are not allowed to participate in the flag football tournament without prior written consent from their respective NFL teams, per Florio.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that several current and former NFL players including Tom Brady, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Maxx Crosby, Rob Gronkowski, Sauce Gardner and Myles Garrett would be appearing in the event.
Florio noted Friday that Lamb is the only current player that has received permission to suit up for the competition, with the Dallas Cowboys allowing him to play.
NFL owners passed a resolution that allowed players to try out to participate in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in May, but it does not cover the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
The flag football tournament will take place during Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia in March 2026.
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