Legal battle over relocated flag football tournament
The Flag Football Classic was originally scheduled for March 21 in Saudi Arabia, but escalating tensions tied to Iran forced organizers to relocate the event to Los Angeles, California.
Sela, a Saudi Arabian consortium owned by the Public Investment Fund, responded by filing a lawsuit in England, alleging breach of contract and demanding repayment of costs and lost revenue.
The case, now filed under seal as Fanatics Studios has yet to submit a response, will be heard by a commercial court that must interpret the contractual language governing the event’s relocation.
If Sela’s claims succeed, Fanatics could be ordered to reimburse the group for expenses incurred and for the revenue it forfeited when the tournament was shifted westward.
The one‑day tournament attracted an average of 685,000 viewers on Fox and was re‑configured to feature the U.S. men’s national flag football team against a lineup of current and former NFL players, other athletes and social‑media influencers.
Saudi authorities withdrew funding after the event was moved, underscoring how geopolitical developments can reshape international sports agreements.