History of East Bay Flag Football
A Community-Built Non-Profit Since 2013
East Bay Flag Football is a California nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Members of the Board of Directors receive no compensation.
East Bay Flag Football (EBFF) began in 2013 with a simple mission: create a safe, fun, high-energy flag football program where East Bay kids could learn the game, build confidence, and form lasting friendships. What started as a small neighborhood league quickly grew into one of the region’s most trusted youth sports programs, serving thousands of athletes across Oakland and Alameda before 2020. As a nonprofit, EBFF has always believed that youth sports should strengthen communities. Using player registration fees, EBFF has donated more than $34,000 to local schools, community groups, and charitable organizations — a core part of our commitment to giving back.
In 2020, during the disruptions of Covid, EBFF temporarily outsourced league operations to an outside organization. The nonprofit continued supporting youth development through training programs and competitive teams, but the heartbeat of our community league remained paused. Over the last decade, however, something extraordinary happened: the entire world discovered flag football. Girls Flag exploded, high schools added teams, NFL FLAG grew into a national movement, and the sport earned its historic place in the 2028 Olympic Games. Demand for safe, accessible, coed football skyrocketed — especially in the East Bay.
Today, we return to our roots.
I’m Peter Ferioli, the current owner and operator of East Bay NFL Flag and former Executive Director of East Bay Flag Football. After ten years of watching this sport transform lives and build community, I’ve brought the programs back under a unified nonprofit home. East Bay NFL Flag is now officially part of East Bay Flag Football, reconnecting the league to the same values, mission, and community spirit that launched it more than a decade ago.
This relaunch rebuilds the program from the ground up as a true community nonprofit — focused on safety, coaching quality, fairness, scholarships, and giving every child the chance to play, learn, and grow. The future of flag football is bright. With the sport’s rise, new opportunities for young athletes, and a renewed nonprofit commitment, EBFF is once again the East Bay’s home for fun, inclusive, competitive flag football. Together, we’re building the next decade of memories for our kids — and creating something that will last far beyond the field.
