RCX Sports joins the ranks of Google, Nvidia, Adidas, Walmart, and more
[ATLANTA, GA – March 24, 2026] — RCX Sports, the leading youth sports operator, is proud to have been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026. This year’s list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. Alongside the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, Fast Company recognizes 720 honorees across 59 sectors and regions.
“Being named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the work our team is doing to reimagine youth sports,” said Izell Reese, Founder and CEO of RCX Sports. “We are dedicated to expanding opportunities, strengthening infrastructure, and creating more inclusive pathways for young people to play. We believe every participant, regardless of background, community, or resources, should have the chance to experience the power of sport, and we’re committed to building a more connected system that makes that possible.”
Over the past 18 months, RCX Sports has accelerated the growth of its multi-sport youth ecosystem, expanding the reach of officially licensed leagues. As the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS, MLB, and NHL, RCX Sports has continued to scale its national footprint, supporting thousands of league operators and delivering best-in-class experiences for participants in communities across the country.
A key driver of that momentum has been the continued rise of NFL FLAG, which RCX Sports operates as the NFL’s official youth flag football program. In 2025, NFL FLAG reached more than 830,000 participants across a network of over 2,000 league operators nationwide, reflecting its rapid expansion and growing role as a foundational entry point into organized sports. Alongside that growth, participation among girls has surged, with increasing adoption at all age levels, further signaling flag football’s emergence as one of the most accessible and inclusive formats in youth sports today.
RCX Sports has also introduced new technologies and operational tools to modernize the youth sports experience, including platforms that streamline league management and give coaches and families improved access to training and development resources. The company has further deepened its commitment to accessibility and inclusion through initiatives led by the RCX Sports Foundation, its nonprofit arm, helping ensure that all young people can participate in high-quality, organized sports.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s hallmark franchise and one of its most anticipated editorial efforts of the year. To determine honorees, Fast Company’s editors and writers review companies driving progress around the world and across industries, evaluating thousands of submissions through a competitive application process. The result is a globe-spanning guide to innovation today, from early-stage startups to some of the most valuable companies in the world.
“Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is about spotlighting organizations that don’t just adapt to change—they drive it,” said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “The companies we honor this year are redefining what leadership looks like in 2026, pairing bold ideas with measurable impact and turning breakthrough innovation into real-world value. They are setting the pace for their industries and offering a blueprint for what sustained innovation can achieve.”
The full list of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies honorees can now be found at fastcompany.com. It will also be available on newsstands beginning March 31, 2026.
Fast Company will host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala for honorees on May 19 in New York City. The summit features a day of inspiring content, followed by a creative black-tie gala including networking, a seated dinner, and an honoree presentation.
ABOUT RCX SPORTS
RCX Sports is the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB. As the only multi-sport organization trusted by professional leagues and governing bodies to represent them, RCX Sports delivers officially licensed uniforms, comprehensive resources, and full support to empower league operators to create the best youth sports experiences in their communities. Committed to accessibility and inclusion, RCX Sports provides high-quality programs that create opportunities for all athletes to play.
ABOUT FAST COMPANY
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.
