Get ready for a touchdown of entertainment! The National Football League (NFL) and YouTube are teaming up to bring you an electrifying new experience – a flag-football game like no other! As Super Bowl LIX weekend approaches, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown in the Big Easy, New Orleans. This year, the gridiron will transform into a battleground for a unique mashup of creators, athletes, and celebrities. The excitement is palpable as these talented squads, handpicked from the YouTube universe, get ready to face off in a game that promises to be as much about fun as it is about competition.
NFL, YouTube Unveil Teams for Super Bowl LIX Weekend Flag-Football Game
Ahead of Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, the NFL and YouTube are hosting a cultural crossover event on the gridiron — a flag-football game that will mash up big-name YouTubers with music stars, pro football legends and other athletes, streaming exclusively on YouTube. The NFL and YouTube’s Creator Flag Football Game, taking place Saturday, Feb. 8, in New Orleans will pit two seven-player teams against each other. The squads will be led by popular creators and livestreamers IShowSpeed (aka Darren Jason Watkins Jr., who has 35.9 million YouTube subscribers) and Kai Cenat (7 million subs). Retired NFL stars Michael Vick (Team Speed) and Cam Newton (Team Kai) will take charge as quarterbacks — see the full rosters below. This year, YouTube joins as the first official partner of the annual Super Bowl flag football game.
Game Details and Broadcast Information
Date and Time
The flag-football game will kick off Saturday at 9 p.m. ET at the Play Football Field at the Super Bowl Experience sponsored by Panini, the NFL’s interactive football theme park at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Streaming Platform
The game will be livestreamed for free on the YouTube channels of the NFL, IShowSpeed and “The Rich Eisen Show” podcast.
Team Rosters
Get ready for an epic clash of personalities and talent as these star-studded teams take the field:
Team Speed
- Led by: IShowSpeed and Michael Vick
- Other Notable Players: Deestroying, Mark Phillips, Quavo, Jordan Chiles
- Led by: Kai Cenat and Cam Newton
- Other Notable Players: Teyana Taylor, Khaby Lame, Adam “Adam W” Waheed, Shedeur Sanders, Diana Flores
Team Kai
Behind the Collaboration: NFL and YouTube’s Strategic Alliance
The partnership between the NFL and YouTube for the Creator Flag Football Game goes beyond entertainment. It represents a strategic move by both entities to reach new audiences and solidify their positions in the evolving media landscape.
Engaging Younger Generations
The NFL has been actively seeking ways to engage younger generations, who are increasingly consuming content online. Collaborating with popular YouTube creators like IShowSpeed and Kai Cenat allows the league to tap into this demographic and showcase the excitement of football in a fresh and relatable way.
Promoting Flag Football’s Growth
With flag football set to make its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics, the NFL is eager to highlight the sport’s accessibility and inclusivity. This partnership with YouTube provides a platform to introduce flag football to a wider audience and foster its growth.
Elevating YouTube’s Sports Content
For YouTube, this collaboration signifies a commitment to expanding its sports content offerings. By hosting a high-profile event like the Creator Flag Football Game, YouTube aims to attract sports fans and solidify its position as a destination for live sports streaming.
Quotes from Key Figures
“This game is a testament to how we’re bringing together the best of sports, entertainment and creator culture to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans,” said Ian Trombetta, the NFL’s senior VP of social, content and influencer marketing. “Partnering with YouTube allows us to showcase the personalities that drive today’s media landscape while celebrating the excitement and accessibility of flag football for everyone.”
“By combining YouTube creators, NFL legends, celebrities and artists, we’re creating truly unique experiences and access that fans can only get on YouTube,” said Angela Courtin, YouTube’s VP of connected TV and creative studios. “This underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sports entertainment, building community and delivering fresh, engaging content to a wider audience than ever before.”
Building on Success: Past Creator Flag Football Games
The NFL and YouTube’s Creator Flag Football Game is not a new concept. The league has successfully hosted similar events in previous years, demonstrating the growing popularity of this unique format.
Super Bowl LVII (2023): A Record-Breaking Success
The 2024 creator flag-football game at Super Bowl LVIII generated over 100 million video views across platforms. This impressive viewership highlights the immense interest in this type of event and the power of combining sports, entertainment, and social media.
Super Bowl LVI (2022): The Inaugural Event
The NFL first hosted a creator flag-football event at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. This event served as a pilot program to test the waters and gauge audience interest. The positive reception paved the way for the continued growth and evolution of the concept.
The Power of Sunday Ticket: A Catalyst for Growth
The NFL and YouTube’s partnership extends beyond the Creator Flag Football Game. Starting with the 2023-24 season, YouTube became the exclusive U.S. retailer for Sunday Ticket, the NFL’s out-of-home package that allows fans to watch every Sunday afternoon game. This multi-billion dollar deal demonstrates the NFL’s confidence in YouTube as a strategic partner and platform for reaching new audiences.
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