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

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.