NAIA makes Women's Flag Football a Sport

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics made history Monday making Women’s flag football a varsity sport for its schools next year. The NAIA secured a two-year partnership with the NFL (National Football League), NFL FLAG Arm and Reigning Champs Experience (RCX), according to ESPN.

The first showcase will be open to female football athletes in late summer or early fall, according to the NAIA, with the first competitive season being held next spring.

According to the association, any emerging sports need to have at least 15 participating institutions to be played, while an invitational championship would require at least 25 and a full championship series at minimum 40, respectively.

The league infrastructure and operations will be governed by a college athletics association, according to ESPN.