Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TMRW Sports poised to transform NFL's flag football

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's sports-tech empire TMRW Sports has emerged as one of just two finalists in the NFL’s hunt for a flag football partner, according to Bloomberg. 

Yes, you read that right. The two biggest names in world golf could soon be calling plays in American football.

Bloomberg's sources say the NFL has whittled down its shortlist to Woods and McIlroy’s TMRW Sports and a rival bid led by Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin and billionaire investor Marc Lasry. 

The league has yet to confirm the finalists, but insiders say the race is entering its final stages.

TMRW Sports, which is backed by Dynasty Equity Partners and Connect Ventures, is already shaking up golf through its TGL — the tech-driven indoor golf spectacle backed by a who’s who of global sport and business: Stephen Curry, Serena and Venus Williams, Steve Cohen, Alexis Ohanian and more. 

Valued at a cool $500 million, TMRW has become one of the most talked-about projects in modern sport.

Now according to Bloomberg, golf legends Woods, 49, and McIlroy, 36, want to take that formula and apply it to a new arena — flag football, a fast, inclusive version of the sport that’s set to debut at the 2028 LA Olympics.

Furthermore, McIlroy, now having completed the career grand slam and won an away Ryder Cup match this season, has made it one of his remaining career goals to win an Olympic gold medal in two and half years time. 

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed earlier this year that the league was looking for partners to launch both men’s and women’s professional flag football leagues. The goal? To grow the game globally, especially among younger fans and women.

“We’re looking for creative, strategic partners — not just capital,” Goodell said. “People who bring value and vision.”

That’s exactly what Woods and McIlroy have done with TMRW. Their tech-meets-sport model — blending real athletes, cutting-edge visuals and digital innovation — could be just what the NFL needs to turn flag football into its next billion-dollar franchise.

McIlroy and Woods have made it no secret that they intend to grow their portfolio with TMRW Sports, and it would come no bigger for them than partnering with the NFL franchise. 

When it comes to the NFL, 15-time major champion Woods is an ardent Las Vegas Raiders fan, while McIlroy used to support Chicago Bears but now prefers to follow the Buffalo Bills as a result of his close friendship with quarterback and golf fanatic Josh Allen. 

While TMRW Sports are likely favourites, their competition is no pushover. Curtis Martin is NFL royalty, and his partner Marc Lasry has a serious track record in sports investment — he co-owned the Milwaukee Bucks, selling his stake last year for a staggering $3.5 billion.

Martin and Lasry are also co-owners of TGL team, Bay Golf Club, which comprises of Ryder Cup heroes Shane Lowry and Ludvig Åberg, former US Open champion Wyndham Clark and talented Australian Min Woo Lee.

So TGL is likely to be well represented no matter who gets a green light in the race for this variant of gridiron football. 

If the NFL wants star power, global reach and a sprinkle of Silicon Valley glamour then TMRW Sports has the edge over their rivals. Their TGL already has broadcast deals, celebrity owners and a fanbase before even teeing off its second season that gets underway on 28 December, two days before Woods turns 50 years old. 

Woods and McIlroy confirmed their 2026 TGL schedule and fixtures last week. 

The NFL has yet to confirm anything yet but if TMRW does win out then you can expect a new kind of sporting crossover where golf’s biggest hitters bring their vision, technology and entertainment flair to the football field.

Tiger calling the shots in the NFL? Rory running plays? It might sound mad — but in the world of TMRW Sports, anything’s possible.