The Jali Ep 177: "From DEI to the Gridiron: Douglas Freeman’s Vision for a New Kind of Sports League"

The Jali, host Melyssa Barrett

In this episode, Melyssa Barrett sits down with serial entrepreneur and DEI leader Douglas Freeman, the founder of the Entertainment Football League Association (ENTFLA) — a groundbreaking Black-owned indoor football league redefining what it means to blend sports, entertainment, equity, and economic impact.

Freeman shares the journey from boardrooms and billion-dollar DEI programs to launching a next-generation sports league designed to uplift communities, create global investment opportunities, and develop talent on and off the field. From post-game concerts and Golden Tryouts to financial literacy academies and regional expansion, ENTFLA is on track to change the game — literally.

With a vision to build 30 teams by 2030, ENTFLA is bringing high-energy football and community transformation to “sports deserts” across the U.S. and beyond. Tune in to hear how Freeman is building a profitable, inclusive, and scalable model — one touchdown at a time.

🎯 Topics Covered:

• The “junk to jewel” mindset behind Freeman’s leadership
  
• The business model that makes ENTFLA profitable from day one
  
• Creating access for Black athletes, coaches, and investors
  
• Merging entertainment, tech, fashion, and global expansion
  
• Why ENTFLA is about more than football — it’s about equity
  

🏈 Learn more: www.entfla.com
💡 "Rep Hard. Rank High." ENTFLA is just getting started.