Showtime Flag, the world’s leading co-ed flag football league, has announced a N20 million prize pool for the upcoming Bowl Series Season Two competition in Nigeria.
Manal Nassar, the Chief Executive Officer of Showtime Flag, revealed this exciting development during a recent press conference held in Lagos. Established on July 7, 2023, Showtime Flag is Nigeria’s largest co-ed semi-professional flag football league, founded by Azeez Amida. The league features a 7-on-7 co-ed format, promoting inclusivity and competition.
Nassar explained that the top six teams from the tournament will progress to the playoffs, vying for a spot in the championship game known as ‘The Showtime Bowl.’ The ultimate winner will be awarded a cash prize, a trophy, and player rings.
The league offers a unique platform for both men and women to showcase their talents, build a strong community, and connect with others, making it more than just a rugby league. Season Two of the league is set to kick off on September 6 and will run until December 15, featuring 12 teams competing for the grand prize of N20 million.
The participating teams include Warriors Flag Football, Outlaws Athletics, Spartans FC, Panthers Sport, Lagos Raptors, Off-Szn Athletics, Lagos Rebels, LA Knights, Titans Athletics, Lagos Mavericks, Wolverines, and Lagos Hawks.
“The champion of the series will receive six million naira, while the second-place team will earn four million naira. The third and fourth places will each be awarded N2.5 million,” Nassar stated.
Reflecting on the success of Season One, held in Lagos in 2023, Nassar noted that participation in the league has significantly promoted flag football in Nigeria. She expressed confidence that Season Two will be even more successful, helping to further develop and popularize the sport, while also educating the public about flag football.
As flag football is set to debut at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, the growing interest in Nigeria positions the country as a key player on the global stage. Nassar also highlighted the Showtime Streets initiative, where players are scouted from the streets, trained, and integrated into the professional league.
Additionally, Showtime Flag Commissioner Adebare Adejumo emphasized that the second edition aims to discover world-class athletes, fulfilling the mission of both Showtime Pro and Showtime Streets. He noted that the league has seen a shift towards younger players, with the age bracket now ranging from 15 to 25 years old, as the league continues to expand and evolve.
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