The partnership with the New York Jets funds groundbreaking league set to debut in Spring 2026
The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation is philanthropically granting a transformative amount of $1 million to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) creating college’s largest women’s flag football league in the process. The New York Jets are partnering with the initiative directed by Woody Johnson, Chairman of the NFL franchise. This generous fund will allow for a launch expected in spring of 2026. The Sports Techie community blog tips our digital hats to both the Johnson Family and Jets for their compelling commitment to creating access and opportunity for women in Americas’ favorite sport. “Empowering young women through football has always been central to our mission,” said Mr. Johnson. “Partnering with the ECAC to launch this league creates a clear pathway for student-athletes to compete, grow, and lead—on the field and beyond.” The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation is dedicated to honoring the enduring legacy of Betty Wold Johnson — a visionary philanthropist and beloved matriarch of the Johnson family.
ECAC Flag Football
A 7-on-7 flag football format will be implemented instead of the traditional eleven. The inaugural season will kickoff with a Media Day at MetLife Stadium in February, followed by a USA Football Talent ID Camp the following day. Regular season games will be played February through April on campus sites, culminating in the championship game at MetLife Stadium1 during the first weekend in May. The 2026 championship game will be played at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center due to the 2026 World Cup.
“The launch of the Jets ECAC Women’s Flag Football League represents a significant milestone for women’s sports,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “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. Woody Johnson, the Johnson Family, and the New York Jets have been pioneers in this area, and we are proud to partner with them and the ECAC to empower the next generation of flag football athletes.”
As part of the Jets and BWJF commitment, each school will receive a grant to offset costs associated with fielding a flag football team. The following schools have committed to playing in the Jets ECAC Women’s Flag Football League:
- Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
- Caldwell University*, Caldwell, NJ
- Dominican University*, Orangeburg, NY
- Eastern University, St. Davids, PA
- Fairleigh Dickinson*, Teaneck, NJ
- Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH
- Kean University, Union, NJ
- Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY
- Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY
- Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
- Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
- Mount St. Mary’s University. Emmitsburg, MD
- Union College*, Schenectady, NY
- Penn State Schuylkill, Schuylkill Haven, PA
- Sweet Briar College*, Sweet Briar, VA
* Will begin game play in Spring of 2027
“The ECAC is thrilled to be partnering with the New York Jets and the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation to provide a premium intercollegiate flag football league for hundreds of young women athletes interested in pursuing their athletics dreams,” said Dan Coonan, ECAC Commissioner. “We couldn’t be happier to be selected for this partnership. With 88 years of experience sponsoring first-rate intercollegiate athletic competition, we believe we are uniquely suited to bring this bold initiative to life. Our sincere thanks to Woody Johnson, the Jets, and the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation for their transformative vision and generous commitment to advancing this emerging sport. We can’t wait to get started.”
Mr. Johnson added, “The Jets ECAC Women’s Flag Football League builds on the success of our high school girls’ flag program, which opened doors for thousands of athletes across the region. Now, we’re taking the next step: collegiate play, Olympic dreams, and a future professional league.”
What They are Saying About the Jets & ECAC Women’s Flag Football League:
Callie Brownson, New York Jets Flag Football Advisor, said, “This league is more than just games—it’s about creating opportunities and building a future for women in football. From high school programs to the collegiate level, we’re opening doors that didn’t exist before. The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation’s support ensures that young women can compete at the highest level, develop as leaders, and see a clear pathway to their dreams.”
Jesse Linder, New York Jets Vice President Community Relations said, “It is amazing to see the evolution of girls flag football from 2011 to today. The New York Jets are proud to have played a role in this growth and can’t wait to see where it goes from here. From high school sanctioning to elite club play to colligate flag football a pathway to the Olympics and professional flag football is being forged.”
Quincy Williams, New York Jets Linebacker commented, “Launching the largest collegiate women’s flag football league is a game-changing moment that will create opportunities that inspire and elevate the game. The programs the Jets have launched in the UK and Ireland have shown how much passion and talent exists for this sport worldwide. Now women will have the chance to experience what college football gave so many of us—competition, community, and growth.”
Sierra Wishnefsky, Penn State Schuylkill Athlete stated, “I couldn’t imagine being a little girl and seeing, ‘they’re playing in a league sponsored by the New York Jets, an NFL team,’ just having the name there — this conference is going to open so many doors.”
Sports Techie, the ECAC also hosts a comprehensive esports program with more than 300 member schools across the country fielding 2500 teams participating in 24 different esports games, streamed live four nights a week.
As part of a commitment to its fan base through innovation and experiences, the Jets have created initiatives such as, its trailblazing Jets Rewards program, a state-of-the-art mobile app, and 1JD Entertainment, a comprehensive content platform that gives fans greater access to the team across all digital and social platforms.
The New York Jets play in MetLife Stadium, which opened in 2010, and are headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. For more information about the New York Jets visit newyorkjets.com.
Guided by Betty Wold Johnson’s deep compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the dignity of every individual, the Foundation supports initiatives that uplift communities and foster lasting impact across education, public service, arts and sports.
The impactful announcement today that the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the NY Jets, are to provide a $1,000,000 grant to the ECAC in order to launch the nation’s largest collegiate flag football league for Spring 2027, is the kind of initiative and commitment Betty would have enjoyed to see prosper, as women and girls flag football are already doing nationwide.
See you later sportstechie in Seattle, Atlanta and around the world!
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