NY Jets Back Largest Collegiate Women’s Flag League With $1M

The NY Jets and the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation have committed a USD1 million (AUD1.5 million) grant to the ECAC to launch the nation’s largest collegiate women’s flag football league, set to commence in spring 2026.

This investment is a commitment that solidifies a competitive pathway for young female athletes, directly capitalising on flag football’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the NCAA’s designation of the sport as an Emerging Sport for Women.

Commenting on the grant, NFL EVP of football operations, Troy Vincent Sr, said: “By establishing the largest collegiate women’s flag football league, we are collectively building a future where young women can dream bigger and continue playing the sport they love in a competitive setting.”

The new Jets ECAC Women’s Flag Football League will feature 15 universities across six states, with ten institutions starting competition in 2026.

This financial commitment is crucial as it directly funds team operations, equipment, and competitive expenses for each participating school, effectively eliminating the initial financial barriers to entry for collegiate organisations.

The league creates hundreds of immediate roster spots, linking the Jets’ vast 14-year investment in grassroots flag football to the highest level of amateur competition.

Strategically, the league completes a pipeline that the NY Jets have been funding since 2011, which now includes 260 club teams and over 7,500 participants across New York and New Jersey.

With flag football set to become a high school varsity sport in New York (2024) and New Jersey (2026), the new ECAC league provides the essential clear pathway for student-athletes to compete, grow, and lead on the field and beyond.

The organisation plans to host a Media Day and a USA Football Talent ID Camp at MetLife Stadium, providing professional-level exposure and standardised evaluation opportunities crucial for athletes with Olympic aspirations.

This investment not only delivers on the Johnson family’s commitment to women’s sports but strategically aligns the Jets brand with a rapidly growing, internationally recognisable sport. By establishing the infrastructure for collegiate competition now, the Jets are securing the honour of being the foundational commercial backer for the sport’s ascension toward the 2028 Olympics and future professional opportunities.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.