When Maya Thompson typed “women’s tackle football” into her search engine, she had no idea it would lead her on a journey capable of transforming the lives of countless women and girls. This single, pivotal search would soon become the first step toward her historic achievement as the first Black female owner of a nationally recognized sports league—the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC). This professional women’s tackle football league boasts over 20 teams and 1,000 players and coaches across 17 states.
Freshly graduated and relocated to Texas, Maya was eager to reconnect with the game she loved in her youth. After being nudged toward basketball by well-meaning mentors, she thought, “It would be great to get back to football.”
Since that fateful search, Maya has earned accolades including being a Hall of Fame Running Back, a two-time National Champion, a USA Football Team captain, and a two-time Gold Medalist. Despite her impressive accomplishments, many in the sports industry remain unaware of her impact, largely because the existence of women’s tackle football is still under the radar.
Maya established the WNFC to provide a credible platform and sustainable business model for women’s tackle football. In an interview, she stated, “I started WNFC to create a robust business that truly legitimizes women’s tackle football.”
Although women have been playing tackle football for over a century, there has never been a corporation to help showcase it on the global stage. “There have been charities and other organizations, but not a corporation,” she noted, emphasizing the disparity in investment for women’s sports and the difficulty of being taken seriously in a male-dominated field.
One of the primary hurdles Maya faces as a female leader in sports is the persistent bias that she lacks the same knowledge or commitment as her male counterparts. She points out that women in sports often have to not only match the performance of their male peers but exceed it over a longer timeframe. “As women in sports, we’re accustomed to building tables rather than joining them.”
Maya highlighted that “hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in male football leagues” that often compete with the NFL, many of which have failed. No one has questioned the legitimacy of these men’s leagues, yet when women seek similar investment, it often elicits skepticism. “It should be just as reasonable to invest in women’s sports as it is in men’s sports,” she asserted. Maya believes that those who claim it’s unreasonable to fund women’s football are operating from a flawed perspective, as there has been minimal investment in the women’s game, leaving no data to suggest it wouldn’t thrive.
Maya is no stranger to challenging gender norms in a male-dominated arena. Having played tackle football in her youth, she faced opposition early on, with boys perceiving her presence as a threat to their positions. By high school, she had to abandon the sport due to a lack of opportunities for girls. “At that time, I didn’t even question why girls weren’t allowed to play,” she recalled.
This experience inspired her to create “Empower Her,” a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and girls in sports, aiming to inspire the next generation to see a future for themselves in athletics, including football. Since its inception, the organization has received numerous requests from parents wanting their daughters to engage with the program.
While the COVID-19 pandemic forced the WNFC to cancel its 2020 season, there is renewed optimism for 2021. Extensive planning and consultations with medical experts and local authorities have paved the way for games to resume in May. The WNFC recently secured a global distribution partnership with VYRE Network, a platform that will allow fans to access content 24/7 across major streaming services, including Apple TV and Roku.
In a statement about the partnership, Maya said, “Through our alliance with VYRE Network, the WNFC is overcoming a significant barrier for fans of women’s tackle football. They will finally have a dedicated place to watch our content.” She added, “Collaborating with Lamar and David is crucial. We aim to demonstrate how Black entrepreneurs can effect change when we unite and share our talents, creativity, and resources.”
Maya’s achievements both on and off the field are truly inspiring. More importantly, she is committed to using her platform to uplift women. “We are a company and a league focused on impacting, empowering, and inspiring women and girls through sports. That’s our mission and what we stand for.”
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Summary:
Maya Thompson, a pioneering figure in women’s tackle football, has established the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) to legitimize and promote women’s sports. Her journey, from a young girl facing gender bias in football to a Hall of Fame athlete and league owner, highlights the importance of creating opportunities for women in athletics. Through her nonprofit, Empower Her, and a new partnership with VYRE Network, Maya aims to inspire future generations and change perceptions about women in sports.