The war in the Middle East has reportedly made for a change of plans for Fanatics Studios' Saudi Arabian flag football event.
Following the United States and Israel's bombing of Iran and the subsequent war that's followed, the three-team tournament will be relocated out of Saudi Arabia and back to American soil for obvious safety reasons.
Given the event's March 21 start date, there was no way it would've happened unless it was postponed or moved to a different location — and moving it elsewhere seemed to be the only likely option.
Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Fanatics Flag Football Classic relocated to America
Via Sports Business Journal, Fanatics' flag football event headlined by Tom Brady will now take place in Los Angeles at BMO Stadium — a 22,000-seat soccer venue that plays host to LAFC as well as Angel City FC in the MLS and NWSL, respectively.
BMO Stadium is also where flag football games will be played in the 2028 Summer Olympics when the Games return to Southern California a couple of years from now.
As for this tournament though, two teams made up of current and former NFL players will compete against Team USA — coached by Sean Payton, Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh. With Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Myles Garrett, Rob Gronkowski and Logan Paul all expected to be in March 18's draft pool.
Tom Brady: Inaugural Saudi flag event 'just the start'
Speaking on the Classic last fall, Tom Brady shared that the event is something he and Fanatics hope will continue for multiple years to come.
"It's a multi-year commitment," Brady explained at the time. "Obviously, we're getting off to a good start. The first year will be kind of where everyone’s attention and energy is at. It’s the first time we’ve ever done something like this, but all the players that I’ve talked to are excited about playing."
"Obviously, with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think it’s all the NFL players' first exposure to it, and I didn’t want to miss out on being a part of it," the seven-time Super Bowl champ explained.
It should be a pretty interesting watch given the parameters, and hopefully things are able to deescalate in the region sooner rather than later.
