TMRW Sports, the tech-minded sports entertainment firm co-founded by Tiger Woods, is launching an NFL-backed flag-football league that counts Tom Brady and Serena Williams among its many celebrity investors.
One name conspicuously absent from Monday’s announcement: Tiger Woods.
The 50-year-old was arrested Friday for allegedly driving under the influence after he crashed and rolled his Range Rover on a residential road near his home in Jupiter, Florida. After crawling out of the passenger side window of his vehicle, Woods allegedly declined to give a urine sample to officers and was arrested for DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
Unsurprisingly, his name was omitted from the final edit of Monday’s press release, but there are plenty of high-profile backers for the yet-to-be-named league.
Those investors include current NFL players like Arik Armstead, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson, as well as league alums Brady, Eli and Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Larry Fitzgerald, Ryan Nece, Dhani Jones, and Justin Tuck, a two-time Super Bowl winner now working in Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Management division.
Williams is among several high-profile female athletes to invest in the league, along with other tennis stars like Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss as well as World Cup winner, Alex Morgan.
The 50-year-old was arrested Friday for allegedly driving under the influence after he crashed and rolled his Range Rover on a residential road near his home in Jupiter, Florida
Founders FFC’s Ashton Jeanty has his flag pulled by Wildcats FFC’s Jalen Ramsey on March 21 during the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic
Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island
The development of professional flag football leagues for both women and men comes as the sport is being adopted by the International Olympic Committee ahead of the 2028 LA Games.
Some NFL players have pushed to be included on the men’s Olympic roster. However, that effort was stymied somewhat last week as the American National Team beat two squads comprised mostly of league players en route to a round-robin victory at the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
‘Their skillset was very different than anything we’ve seen in the NFL, the speed, the quickness, the ability to create,’ Hall-of-Fame linebacker Luke Kuechly told reporters after losing to a team of strictly flag-football players.
‘Our inability to put our hands on those guys made this game very difficult. The scheme is very different. The concepts are very different. With time, it’ll change and we’ll have a better feel for it.’
Asked who he thinks should represent Team USA in LA, Brady told reporters: ‘Whoever gives the team the best chance to win should be out there.’
TMRW Sports is a media and tech firm co-founded by Woods, Rory McIlroy and Mike McCarley. It’s best known for its indoor golf league, the TGL.
Saquon Barkley #26 of Wildcats FFC spins between Patrick Peterson #21 and Antoine Winfield Jr. of Founders FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21
Woods is pictured playing in his indoor golf league, the TGL, created by his firm, TMRW
‘TMRW Sports’ first successful venture has been the development of TGL presented by SoFi, a primetime team golf league in partnership with the PGA TOUR,’ read the press release. ‘The selection of TMRW Sports reflects its proven ability to leverage technology and new platforms to build modern approaches in sports, media, and entertainment properties.’
The NFL is investing $32 million in the league through its club-owned investment vehicle, 32 Equity, according to the press release.
‘As the flag football movement continues its explosive global growth, a professional flag league completes the pathway for elite athletes to compete at every level of the game, from youth to high school and college, to the Olympic stage, and now professionally,’ said Troy Vincent Sr., former defensive back and NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
‘This is especially meaningful for girls and young women who are helping drive the sport’s growth worldwide and who can now see their dreams in this game extend all the way to the professional level. Selecting TMRW Sports represents an important step in our long-term commitment to growing flag football and supporting the world-class athletes driving its momentum.’
