New Jersey becomes latest to sanction girls flag football, vote on shot clock

This week, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) voted 311-18 to sanction girls flag football, making it the 20^th state including Washington, D.C., to sanction the sport as it continues to grow in popularity thanks to NFL support.

Meanwhile, the NJSIAA also approved a 35-second shot clock for varsity basketball games and rejected a proposal to add an 80-second shot clock for lacrosse.

Flag football

New Jersey is latest to sanction girls flag football after Kansas and Maryland voted to approve similar proposals last month. Like the others, the inaugural flag football season will be during the 2026-27 school year.

In 2021, the New York Jets provided funding, equipment and organizational support for eight schools that were part of the initial pilot program in New Jersey. This year, according to a USA Today report, 140 New Jersey high schools fielded teams as part of the program as the sport has consistently received support from the NFL.

“The National Football League, specifically the New York Jets, has played a meaningful role in building awareness and expanding opportunities from the early stages, and that continued commitment has helped shape the strong foundation we see today,” NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen E. Maguire said in a statement. “We are excited to watch the continued growth of our newest sanctioned sport and continuing to increase opportunities for our girls.”

Shot clock

New Jersey also has become the 33^rd state to institute a 35-second shot clock for varsity basketball games, a rule that will take effect during the 2027-28 season.

The proposal narrowly passed with a 170-166 vote — the measure needed 169 votes to pass.

According to a report from NJ.com, Maguire said the vote was recounted at least four times to ensure its passing and conferred with others on the advisory committee before the vote was read.

As is the case in other states where a shot clock for basketball has not passed, financial concerns played a role. Implementing a shot clock requires new equipment as well as money to pay workers who will operate the clock during games. Earlier this week, the Indiana High School Athletic Association rejected a proposal to add a shot clock for basketball, citing similar reasons.

The proposal to add an 80-second shot clock was rejected 166-149. The NJSIAA can vote on the proposal again in 2028.