Olympic Games 2028: Could $700m quarterback Patrick Mahomes be an Olympian? The NFL thinks so
It means the $US450 million ($700 million) quarterback could add Olympic gold to his trophy cabinet, alongside his three Super Bowl rings, if the NFL's most marketable man decides to try his hand at the five-a-side game.
Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes could all try out for the 2028 US Olympic flag football team. Credit: Graphic: Michael Howard, Monique Westermann
Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028, and will consist of six men's teams and six women's team, with 10 players per squad, and five on the field at a time.
The NFL has been mulling over whether to let players try out for the past couple of years, but the motion was finally passed 32-0 at a meeting on Wednesday morning (Australia time), opening the door for the likes of $US140 million wide receiver Justin Jefferson or $US90 million Tyreek Hill to participate at a home Olympics.

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Herald Sun
9 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Male Vikings cheerleaders hit back at critics with cheeky social post
Don't miss out on the headlines from NFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Two male Vikings cheerleaders don't seem to be taking any of the backlash that they've gotten from some football fans to heart since the team announced their inclusion in the 2025 squad in a post on social media. Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn will be members of the Vikings cheer team, which sparked criticism and even some fans threatening to not be fans of the team anymore. However, Shiek seemed to address the controversy by poking fun at all of the people discussing him. 'Wait … did someone say our name?' Shiek wrote in a post on Instagram that included a photo of himself and Conn in their cheer uniforms. The Vikings also responded to the controversy in a statement last week, defending Shiek and Conn. 'While many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading,' the team said in a statement. 'In 2025, approximately one-third of NFL teams have male cheerleaders. Every member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program has an impressive dance background and went through the same rigorous audition process. Individuals were selected because of their talent, passion for dance and dedication to elevating the game day experience. We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organisation.' Minnesota Vikings cheerleader Louie Conn lines up with cheerleaders in the first quarter during a pre-season game against the Patriots. Picture:The Rams are said to have been the first NFL team to include men on their cheerleading squad back in 2018. Conn had been a member of the Iowa State Cyclones dance team before making the Vikings squad, according to Fox News. While some fans have threatened to cancel their season tickets because of Shiek and Conn's inclusion on the cheer team, the Vikings told NBC News that no fans have done so. - this story originally appeared on the New York Post Originally published as Minnesota Vikings male cheerleaders hit back on social media

Sky News AU
18 hours ago
- Sky News AU
US football fans divided after NFL teams add men to their cheerleading squads ahead of season
Male cheerleaders have divided American football fans as NFL teams make major changes to their cheerleading squads ahead of the 2025 season. Male cheerleaders being included in more NFL teams has divided football fans, and now the performers have hit back. The Minnesota Vikings have introduced two new male cheerleaders, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn - who have since faced homophobic and hateful backlash - in place of two female cheerleaders ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The Baltimore Ravens, LA Rams, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers have also announced they will include male cheerleaders this season, up from seven teams last season. The news has divided NFL fans. Fox News' Will Cain said he "doesn't have anything against male cheerleaders', but argued it was the type of cheerleading they were doing that he had a problem with. 'There is something different than what is going on in the NFL,' Cain said. 'And if we're really being honest, we're talking about male cheerleaders being female cheerleaders. That's what's happening with these men who are cheering on the Minnesota Vikings.' — Oli London (@OliLondonTV) August 17, 2025 Former Hercules star Kevin Sorbo wrote on X: 'I've been a Vikings fan all my life … sigh. I need a new team now.' 'Male cheerleaders should be doing male things not trying to look like one of the girls, it's not sexy because it's a DUDE. Lifts and one arm holds not dancing and prancing,' one fan commented on X. The Vikings male cheerleaders Sheik and Conn hit back at the online hate, sharing a photo together captioned: 'Wait … did someone say our name?' The pair received online support despite the negativity directed towards them. 'The funniest part of all this male cheerleader nonsense is the fact that the NFL has had male cheerleaders for years & no one was mad or cared until they were told to be,' one fan said on X. 'Fun fact: Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan were once both male cheerleaders,' another said. 'What y'all are doing is so f****** important. At a time when rights are being threatened there's no louder activism then being loud and proud. You guys are f****** amazing!!!,' a third added on Instagram. Male cheerleaders have been involved in cheerleading across high schools, college and professional levels, commonly seen throwing their female counterparts in the air. The Vikings have since responded in a statement last week, following the widespread backlash of the two male inclusions in their 2025 squad. 'While many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading,' the club said. 'In 2025, approximately one-third of NFL teams have male cheerleaders. Every member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program has an impressive dance background and went through the same rigorous audition process. Individuals were selected because of their talent, passion for dance and dedication to elevating the game day experience. 'We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organisation.' In 2018, the Rams were reportedly the first team to include men in their cheerleading squad. In 2025, the New Orleans Saints revealed 13 men would be part of their Saints Cheer Krewe squad. The 2025/26 NFL season kicks off on Thursday September 4 with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.


Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Perth Now
WNBL add Tasmanian club, push for 10-team comp
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