Gotham FC, the reigning champions of the NWSL, announced a strategic multi-year partnership on Tuesday with Bank of America, naming the financial giant the club’s Official Retail Bank. The collaboration is designed to do more than just place a logo on a jersey; it aims to fundamentally change how children in New Jersey and New York engage with sports and physical activity.
At the center of the deal is Elevate Play, Gotham FC’s community initiative launched in 2025 to combat the “play deficit.” Currently, only one in five children in the region meets daily activity recommendations, while youth screen time has surged to an average of five hours per day.
Now officially presented by Bank of America Soccer with Us, the program focuses on reducing barriers to entry for youth in historically marginalized communities. By bringing structured play into school recesses and providing access to professional matches, the partnership seeks to foster resilience and confidence in local students.
The partnership’s immediate goals include:
- School Integration: Delivering 20 school-based trainings through Playworks NY/NJ to help kids build social and emotional skills through play.
- Matchday Access: Providing 10,000 youth, educators, and caregivers with complimentary tickets to 2026 Gotham FC matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
- Community Clinics: Launching “Bank of America Soccer With Us” clinics—free, hands-on soccer experiences in underserved areas.
“Bank of America is a powerful partner in Gotham’s mission to expand access to the game and deepen our impact across New York and New Jersey,” Alex Chang, Gotham FC Chief Revenue Officer said. “With their support, we will continue reaching more young people with meaningful opportunities to engage in sport.”
The partnership extends into the classroom and the boardroom. In addition to soccer skills, the new clinics will feature financial literacy programming and goal-setting workshops designed by Bank of America. These sessions aim to equip the next generation with the “power to do” more than just play soccer, focusing on long-term success and economic mobility.
The great state of New Jersey has always been a soccer powerhouse, from hosting the first international soccer match ever played in the United States, through the present day,” Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey, said. “We’re teaming up with Gotham FC and their Elevate Play initiative to help create more opportunities through sports throughout the region.”
For the Jersey City and Harrison-based fanbase, the partnership will be highly visible. Bank of America will have a significant presence at the pre-game Fan Fest (presented by CarMax) and throughout the stadium on matchdays.
Furthermore, the Bank of America Rewards program will now offer Gotham FC fans exclusive, “best-in-market” experiences, including player engagement opportunities and unique hospitality benefits.
The initiative is also supported by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, which served as the founding philanthropic partner of Elevate Play. According to Laurie Tisch, the addition of Bank of America will “deepen the impact” for thousands of children across Northern New Jersey, ensuring that the physical and social benefits of play are a right, not a privilege.
