Historic Launch: Largest Collegiate Women’s Flag Football League in U.S.

In a pretty big move for women’s sports, the New York Jets and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) just announced they’re starting the largest collegiate women’s flag football league in the United States.

This new league, launching in February, will bring together 15 universities from six states. It’s set to open up a lot more doors for women who want to play football.

Jets owner Woody Johnson is backing the league with a hefty investment. The goal? To help bridge that awkward gap between high school and professional flag football for women.

Historic Launch of Women’s Collegiate Flag Football League

The partnership between the New York Jets and ECAC feels like a real turning point for women’s sports. This league will bring in a mix of Division I, II, and III universities from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia.

Here’s the first group of schools taking part:

• Allegheny College
• Eastern University
• Franciscan University
• Kean University
• Long Island University
• Mercy University
• Mercyhurst University
• Montclair State University
• Mount St. Mary’s University
• Penn State Schuykill

Five more schools—Caldwell University, Fairleigh Dickinson, Dominican University, Union College, and Sweet Briar College—plan to join in 2027. They want to have at least 20 schools competing within the first four years, which would make the league pretty competitive.

Investment and Support

The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, led by Woody Johnson, is putting in $1 million to get this league up and running. That money will go toward things like equipment, uniforms, coaches’ pay, and travel.

ECAC Commissioner Dan Coonan called the investment a “game changer” for women’s collegiate sports. It’s hard to argue with that.

Building on a Legacy of Support

The Jets have been supporting girls’ flag football for a while. Back in 2011, they started pushing the sport at the high school level in New York.

Since then, they’ve helped start over 260 teams—even in places like England and Ireland. Creating a college league just seems like the next logical step for these athletes.

Bridging the Gap

Jesse Linder, the Jets’ VP of community relations, talked about the need for a bridge between high school and professional or Olympic-level flag football. He said the new college league gives women a real shot at continuing their football journey.

Future Prospects and Expansion

The first season will have regular games in a 7-on-7 format, played on campus from February through April. In May, the Jets will host a playoff tournament at their facility.

They’re even planning for future postseasons at MetLife Stadium. With the NCAA voting soon on making women’s flag football an “emerging sport,” this league might end up being a model for others.

Role Models and Leadership

Quincy Williams, a linebacker for the Jets, has been pretty vocal about his support. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, he remembers girls wanting to play football with the boys.

Now, with more opportunities, he’s excited for his young daughter and other girls who dream of playing. It’s a big deal for a lot of families out there.

Callie Brownson, once a scouting intern for the Jets and the first woman hired as a full-time NCAA Division I coach, will advise the Jets’ flag football program. Her role sends a clear message about the importance of strong leadership and role models for these athletes.

Looking Ahead to the 2028 Olympics

The NFL plans to launch professional flag football leagues for women and men before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That’s when flag football will make its Olympic debut.

Dan Coonan, the ECAC Commissioner, sounds genuinely optimistic about the future of women’s flag football. He points out the talent and drive have always existed—maybe now, with the right support, the sport will finally get the recognition it deserves.

Conclusion

The largest collegiate women’s flag football league in the U.S. just launched. That’s a huge step for women’s sports.