Women Driving Growth of Sports in Las Vegas

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Las Vegas has quickly become a major sports hub, but beyond the professional teams and sold-out arenas, a quieter shift is happening that's being led by women. Across Southern Nevada, women-led sports initiatives are expanding opportunities for athletes, increasing visibility for women's athletics, and reshaping the local sports culture. This movement is seen in the success of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces as well as the rapid growth of girls' flag football programs supported by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Why it matters

The rise of women-led sports programs in Las Vegas is not only producing championship-caliber teams and athletes, but also building confidence, leadership skills, and long-term opportunities for young female athletes. This is helping challenge long-standing perceptions about who participates in sports like football and shaping a more inclusive future for athletics in Southern Nevada.

The details

Women-led sports initiatives in Las Vegas are expanding opportunities for athletes, increasing visibility for women's athletics, and reshaping the local sports culture. This includes the success of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces as well as the rapid growth of girls' flag football programs supported by the Las Vegas Raiders. Several Las Vegas-area high school teams have emerged as strong competitors in girls' flag football, reflecting the sport's rapid growth and competitiveness in the region. Standout athletes like Liberty High School's Ki'Lolo 'Kona' Westerlund have helped bring national attention to the sport, including appearing in a prominent Super Bowl commercial highlighting the NFL's efforts to expand girls' flag football.

• The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) girls flag football state championships were held at Allegiant Stadium earlier this year.
• Kona Westerlund appeared in a Super Bowl LIX commercial in 2025 as part of the NFL's 'NFL Flag 50' campaign.

What’s next

The NFL continues to invest in girls' flag football through its Play Football initiative, aimed at expanding access and participation for young athletes. Nevada has been among the states at the forefront of that growth, with flag football participation—especially among girls—continuing to expand through organized leagues, school programs, and statewide competition.