Earlier this month, the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation announced a groundbreaking $1 million grant to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) that will transform the landscape of women’s flag football. Directed by New York Jets Chairman Woody Johnson, the investment will fund the creation of the largest collegiate women’s flag football league in the nation, set to launch in the spring of 2026. The initiative underscores the Johnson Family’s and the New York Jets’ unwavering commitment to expanding access and opportunity for women in sports.
“Empowering young women through football has always been central to our mission,” said 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.”
Johnson added that the Jets ECAC Women’s Flag Football League builds on the success of the organization’s high school girls’ flag program, which has opened doors for thousands of athletes across the region. The collegiate league is designed to be the next step, offering opportunities tied to Olympic aspirations and a future professional pathway.
The league will feature the 7-on-7 format of flag football. The season will kick off with a Media Day at MetLife Stadium in February, followed by a USA Football Talent ID Camp the next day. Regular-season games will be played from February through April at campus sites, culminating with the championship game at MetLife Stadium during the first weekend in May.
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent Sr. called the league a significant milestone for women’s sports, praising the Jets and the Johnson Family for their leadership. ECAC Commissioner Dan Coonan echoed that sentiment, highlighting the conference’s 88-year history and expressing excitement about bringing the initiative to life and empowering the next generation of female flag football athletes.