Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen To Call Inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic
#Fanatics Flag Football Classic #Kevin Burkhardt #Greg Olsen #Tom Brady #BMO Stadium #FOX Sports #LA28 Olympics #Kevin Hart
📌 Key Takeaways
- Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen will announce the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21, airing on FOX, FOX One, and Tubi.
- The event features three 12-player teams, including NFL stars and the reigning U.S. Men's National Flag Football Team.
- Teams are captained by notable athletes like Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, and Joe Burrow, with coaches including Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan.
- The competition is a first-of-its-kind global event held at BMO Stadium, a venue for flag football in the LA28 Olympics.
- Kevin Hart and Druski will host, and the event will also be streamed internationally on Fanatics' YouTube channel.
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Sports Broadcasting, Flag Football, Global Competition
📚 Related People & Topics
BMO Stadium
Soccer stadium in Los Angeles
BMO Stadium (formerly Banc of California Stadium) is a soccer-specific stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is the home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC and the National Women's Soccer League's Angel City FC. Opened on April 18, 2018, it wa...
Fanatics Flag Football Classic
Flag football tournament
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is an upcoming five-on-five flag football tournament featuring several current and former National Football League (NFL) players. The exhibition will be held on March 21, 2026, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and was organized in part to promote flag football at the ...
Tom Brady
American football player and commentator (born 1977)
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. (born August 3, 1977) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 23 seasons. He spent his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and was a central contributor to the franchise's dynasty from 20...
Kevin Burkhardt
American sportscaster (born 1974)
Kevin Burkhardt (born March 2, 1974) is an American sportscaster. He is currently the lead play-by-play voice for the NFL on Fox and lead studio host for Fox Major League Baseball. Burkhardt was formerly a reporter with SportsNet New York (SNY) during New York Mets telecasts from 2007 to 2014.
Entity Intersection Graph
No entity connections available yet for this article.
Mentioned Entities
Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This event matters because it represents a significant investment in flag football's growth as a mainstream sport, especially with its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. It affects sports media by showcasing FOX's commitment to innovative programming and impacts athletes by providing NFL stars and flag football specialists a high-profile platform. The involvement of top-tier broadcasters like Burkhardt and Olsen lends credibility and attracts traditional football fans to the flag football format.
Context & Background
- Flag football was officially added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic program in October 2023, marking its Olympic debut.
- Tom Brady has been actively involved in promoting flag football through his ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders and various youth initiatives.
- FOX Sports has been expanding its non-traditional sports programming, including the USFL and other alternative football formats.
- Fanatics has been expanding beyond merchandise into media production with Fanatics Studios, aiming to create original sports content.
- BMO Stadium in Los Angeles will host Olympic flag football events in 2028, making this event a test run for the venue.
What Happens Next
Following the March 21 broadcast, expect increased promotion for flag football leading to the 2028 Olympics, with potential for this to become an annual event. The success may lead to similar competitions featuring women's flag football teams, given its Olympic inclusion for both genders. Media rights negotiations for Olympic flag football coverage will likely intensify among networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
NFL stars are participating to promote flag football's growth and prepare for its Olympic debut, while also engaging fans in a less physically demanding format. Their involvement brings mainstream attention and credibility to the sport, helping bridge traditional football fans with the flag football community.
This event uniquely pairs current/former NFL stars with elite flag football specialists in a competitive format, while serving as a preview for Olympic-level competition at the actual Olympic venue. The production value with FOX Sports coverage and celebrity involvement elevates it beyond typical flag football tournaments.
The event is strategically held at BMO Stadium, which will host Olympic flag football in 2028, serving as both a test event and promotional showcase. It helps build audience familiarity with elite flag football before the Olympics and establishes FOX's potential role in future Olympic coverage.
Fanatics is producing the event through Fanatics Studios, marking their expansion into live sports production. They're also streaming it internationally on their YouTube channel, demonstrating their growing media ambitions beyond merchandise and collectibles.
As FOX's lead NFL broadcasting team, their involvement signals that this is a serious sports production rather than an exhibition. Their credibility helps attract traditional football viewers who might otherwise overlook flag football, while their experience ensures professional coverage.