The New York Jets have reversed their earlier decision to bar fans from participating in a $100,000 kicking competition following significant criticism on social media.
According to the New York Post, the team had rescinded the opportunity for season ticket holder Ashley Castanio-Gervasi to compete in the finals of the “Kick for Cash” tournament, citing her role as a high school soccer coach.
Castanio-Gervasi told the Post that she was invited to the tournament after the team noticed her kick at a tailgate event in September. She claims they never inquired about her coaching status, which would violate their rules against current coaches competing. Additionally, she mentioned that she played Division I soccer and was a goalie at Stony Brook University from 2010 to 2014.
Here’s how she described the team’s invitation:
“Two officials from the New York Jets approached me about joining this tournament. The only query they made was about my college soccer experience and the timeline,” she recalled.
Castanio-Gervasi was the only female finalist in the competition, having successfully kicked a 20-yard field goal in October, with the team highlighting her achievement in local media. Despite the Long Island Herald pointing out her coaching role, it wasn’t until last week that she was informed about the eligibility rule banning current players and coaches from competing in various sports.
The Jets initially defended this policy when approached by the media.
In a statement to the Post, they said: “Due to the competition’s rules and regulations, one qualified kicker will be unable to move to the final round,” adding, “We understand the disappointment this brings and have sought to provide alternative appreciation.”
In an effort to make amends, the team reportedly offered Castanio-Gervasi a custom consolation jersey, a $100 Visa gift card, and a donation to the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation, which is significant to her as she intended to donate part of her potential winnings in memory of her father, Frank, who passed away from esophageal cancer in 2011.
The Jets somehow turned a field goal into an own goal. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
(Justin Casterline via Getty Images)
The team also reportedly agreed to cover the ticket costs for at least 15 of Castanio-Gervasi’s friends and family members who planned to cheer her on.
After the word got out about this situation, reactions were swift, with former Jets player Damian Woody among those criticizing how the team treated their loyal fans. However, the next day, the Jets adopted a different stance, according to Ben Dixon from Newsday.
“We have realized there was an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding Ashley’s eligibility for the competition. To address this, we’re allowing her to participate this Sunday for a chance to win the prize. We deeply value our fans’ passion and commitment and aim to create a memorable experience,”
The definition of “misunderstanding” remains unclear, but the upcoming “Kick for Cash” contest is likely to attract extra attention. The Jets are set to face off against the Patriots on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Fan Take: This incident highlights the importance of transparency and communication between sports organizations and their fans, particularly in inclusive competitions like this. For soccer enthusiasts, this could signal a broader commitment to supporting women in sports and ensuring fair opportunities at all levels.
