THE STORY
Every dynasty has an origin story. Ours involves a Chardonnay disagreement and a parking lot scrimmage.
How It Started
The most unlikely origin story in sports
In the fall of 2023, ten women sat in Donna Fiori's living room for their monthly book club meeting. The book was supposed to be "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus. Only three people had actually read it. The rest had watched the Apple TV+ show and hoped nobody would notice.
What followed was not a literary discussion. It was a full-volume debate about whether women over 40 get enough opportunities to be competitive, athletic, and -- most importantly -- completely ridiculous in a public setting. Karen O'Brien suggested they form a softball team. Linda Johansson said softball was "too predictable." Sally Nguyen, a retired Army drill sergeant who had been quietly eating hummus in the corner, stood up and said four words that changed everything:
"Flag football. Full send."
Within six weeks, the Seattle Sallys had uniforms, a practice schedule, and a choreographed end zone celebration set to "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. Within six months, they had a waitlist of opponents, a merch line, and a near-religious following among the parents of Ballard Elementary.
The Sallys are not a team. They are a movement. A testament to what happens when you combine competitive fire, decades of life experience, and a complete unwillingness to take yourself too seriously.
Our Values
The pillars of the Sallys program
Entertainment First
Every game is a show. Every play is a performance. If the crowd isn't cheering, dancing, or laughing, we haven't done our job.
Age Is Just a Number
We didn't peak in high school. We peaked at 45. Some of us are still peaking. Deborah says she'll peak when she's good and ready.
Community Over Competition
We play to bring people together. Win or lose, everyone leaves a Sallys game with sore abs from laughing and at least one new friend.
Never Be Normal
Choreographed touchdown celebrations. Themed uniforms. A coach who once did a backflip (once). Whatever is expected, we do the opposite.
By the Numbers
Combined age of the starting lineup: 461 years
Average number of kids per player: 2.7
Interceptions last season: 34
Choreographed dance routines perfected: 12
Referees who have asked to speak to our manager: 7
Book clubs disrupted to form this team: 1