The Jets expanded their Jets Flag Elite travel program with a new Under-14 squad as the program enters its second season.
Fathead signed as presenting sponsor and will cover travel costs including flights and hotels for players on the elite squads.
The Elite program functions like AAU competition, with Jets Flag Elite High School winning the We Run the World tournament in Philadelphia last season.
The Jets cover coaches, equipment, training facility space, tryouts, and tournament fees, with Fathead eliminating remaining travel costs for families.
Jets Flag Elite begins its 2025-26 season at the Halloween Horror tournament on October 11 in Windsor, Connecticut.
Building Elite Competition Pathways
The Jets are expanding beyond local youth leagues and high schools to develop high-level travel teams for girls flag football. The organization launched its Jets Flag Elite program at the high school level last season and announced rosters for both the returning high school team and a new Under-14 squad on October 9.
The Elite squads operate similarly to AAU basketball or travel soccer teams, offering more intensive training and competition than recreational or school-based programs. According to Jeff Fernandez, the Jets’ SVP of Business Development and Ventures, the model addresses a gap for top talent seeking higher-level play.
“It’s AAU-type competition with national talent,” Fernandez said. “But speaking as a dad whose kids played AAU for many years, it ain’t cheap.”
Jets Flag Elite’s stated mission is to support, elevate, and empower girls flag football by providing pathways to college scholarships and opportunities for the USA National team as flag football becomes an Olympic sport in 2028.
The Jets elite travel girls flag team sports new Fathead-branded uniforms during a recent visit to the Jets’ locker room at MetLife Stadium.Courtesy NY Jets
Fathead Partnership Removes Cost Barriers
Fathead, which announced its first NFL team sponsorship with the Jets on September 8, secured presenting sponsorship rights to the Jets Flag Elite program. The partnership addresses one of the biggest obstacles in elite youth sports: cost.
As presenting sponsor, Fathead covers flights and hotels for players competing in tournaments across the country. The Jets continue covering coaches, equipment, training facility space, tryouts, and tournament fees, eliminating nearly all costs for players and families. Fathead will also create Big Heads of all players to help fans cheer on the squads at tournaments nationwide.
“This is a landmark partnership for not only the organization, but for girls flag football in general,” Fernandez said. “The Jets are committed to finding unique ways to grow the sport of girls flag football and by partnering with Fathead, Jets Flag Elite will be able to give our young athletes one-of-a-kind experiences that they would not be able to partake in elsewhere.”
Jen Beaver, Fathead’s Chief Partnership Officer and former college athlete, emphasized the company’s broader commitment. “Fathead is committed to supporting and growing the continued rise in women’s sports overall,” Beaver said. “For us, being part of this program is about investing in future leaders who are excelling both on and off the field.”
Coaching Leadership and Competition Schedule
Mickey McDermott returns as head coach of the Jets Flag Elite High School team. McDermott led the squad to a We Run the World tournament victory in Philadelphia last season, while also winning his third consecutive New Jersey High School Flag Football Championship as head coach at Ridgewood High School. Victoria Burgarella, head coach of Xaverian High School’s flag football team, continues as assistant coach.
The new 14U team will be led by head coach Jesse Marrow, who brings over 15 years of flag football experience. Marrow currently coaches the Team USA 15U Boys Flag Football Team, the UConn Club Flag Football Team, and continues his work with the Lady Supreme Women’s Team. Kyle Slivla-Fralin and Alisa Harrison serve as assistant coaches.
Both Jets Flag Elite teams begin their 2025-26 season at the Halloween Horror tournament on October 11 in Windsor, Connecticut. The teams will compete in 5-on-5 flag football tournaments at local, regional, and national levels throughout the season.
Growing Sponsor Interest in Flag Football
The Fathead deal demonstrates increasing corporate investment in girls flag football infrastructure. The company becomes the fifth sponsor connected to the Jets’ flag ecosystem, joining Nike, Gatorade, Visa, and Audi.
The Jets have been developing their girls flag football presence since 2011, when they became the first NFL club to help launch girls flag football at the varsity level through a partnership with New York City’s Public Schools Athletic League. In 2021, the Jets and Nike launched the first high school girls flag football league in New Jersey.
New York officially adopted flag football as a statewide championship sport in spring 2024, while New Jersey’s official sanction is expected soon.
Strategic Implications
The Jets’ approach reflects a broader shift in how NFL teams support flag football development. While most league efforts focus on local youth leagues and high school programs, elite travel teams represent a higher-stakes investment in top talent pipelines with clear pathways to college and Olympic competition.
The model also creates new sponsorship inventory. By structuring flag football programs with tiered levels, teams can offer partners access to different segments, from community participation to elite competition. For sponsors like Fathead looking to reach younger demographics while supporting athlete development, these programs provide both visibility and mission alignment.
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