New York Jets Partner with Local Businesses for 2025 NFL Draft: Boosting Community and Fan Excitement

As the 2025 NFL Draft draws near, the New York Jets have launched a series of partnerships with local businesses across New York City and New Jersey, turning draft excitement into a catalyst for community support and small business growth. New York Jets Partner with Local Businesses for 2025 NFL Draft: Boosting Community and Fan Excitement highlights how these collaborations—ranging from draft-themed promotions to joint events—are uniting the team with local entrepreneurs while giving fans unique ways to celebrate the upcoming draft. In Hoboken, New Jersey, a family-owned pizzeria called Tony’s Slice Shop has teamed up with the Jets to create a “Draft Day Special”: a large pizza topped with Jets-themed pepperoni (shaped like footballs) and a free Jets mini helmet with every order during draft week. Owner Tony Moretti, a lifelong Jets fan, said the partnership has already doubled his weekend sales. “We’ve been here for 30 years, but this is the busiest we’ve ever been before a draft,” Moretti said. “Fans love the football-shaped pepperoni, and parents are bringing their kids in just to get the mini helmets. It’s not just good for business—it’s bringing the whole neighborhood together.” The Jets have promoted the special on their social media, driving even more foot traffic to the pizzeria.

New York Jets Partner with Local Businesses for 2025 NFL Draft: Boosting Community and Fan Excitement also spotlights collaborations with local retailers, which are offering exclusive Jets draft merchandise to draw in customers. A clothing store in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, Brooklyn Threads, has designed a limited-edition “Jets Draft 2025” hoodie, featuring the team’s logo and the phrase “Building the Future.” A portion of the proceeds from each hoodie sold goes to the Jets Foundation, which supports youth football programs in underserved communities. Store owner Maya Johnson said the hoodies sold out within the first week of release, prompting a second order. “We wanted to create something that fans would wear with pride, while also giving back,” Johnson said. “The Jets’ support has been incredible—they shared our hoodie on their Instagram, and we’ve had customers coming in from as far as Queens just to buy one. It’s a great way to connect with Jets Nation and support a good cause.” The Jets have also partnered with a local sports memorabilia shop in Manhattan to host a “Draft Autograph Session,” where former Jets players will sign merchandise for fans who make a purchase during draft week.

New York Jets Partner with Local Businesses for 2025 NFL Draft: Boosting Community and Fan Excitement wouldn’t be complete without exploring how the Jets are supporting local food and beverage businesses through draft watch parties. The team has designated 10 local bars and restaurants across the area as “Official Jets Draft Watch Locations,” where fans can gather to watch the draft together, enjoy Jets-themed food and drinks, and participate in trivia contests with prizes like game tickets and signed memorabilia. A bar in Newark, New Jersey, The Gridiron, has gone all out for the occasion, decorating its interior with Jets flags and posters of top draft prospects, and offering a “Draft Day Beer Flight” featuring four local craft beers. Bar manager Mike Carter said the partnership has transformed his typically quiet April weekends into busy events. “Last year, we had maybe 20 people watching the draft,” Carter said. “This year, we’re expecting over 100, thanks to the Jets’ promotion. We’re even hiring an extra bartender and a DJ to keep the energy up. It’s been a game-changer for our business.” The Jets have provided each watch location with branded materials—like tablecloths and coasters—and promoted the spots on their website and app, making it easy for fans to find a place to celebrate.

New York Jets Partner with Local Businesses for 2025 NFL Draft: Boosting Community and Fan Excitement further explains how these partnerships align with the New York Jets’ broader mission to be a “community-focused franchise.” The team’s front office has made a conscious effort to prioritize small, local businesses over national chains, recognizing the role they play in supporting the local economy. “The New York Jets are part of this community—our players live here, our staff lives here, and our fans live here,” said Jets community relations director Emily Carter. “Partnering with local businesses isn’t just a marketing strategy; it’s a way to give back to the communities that support us. When we help a local pizzeria or clothing store thrive, we’re helping the entire neighborhood thrive. That’s what being a community partner is all about.” The New York Jets have also worked with local chambers of commerce to identify businesses that could benefit most from the partnerships, focusing on those that were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and are still recovering. This targeted approach ensures that the partnerships have a meaningful impact on the community.

New York Jets Partner with Local Businesses for 2025 NFL Draft: Boosting Community and Fan Excitement also addresses how these collaborations are enhancing the fan experience by making draft celebrations more accessible. For fans who can’t travel to Detroit for the in-person draft or don’t want to host a watch party at home, the local watch locations and draft-themed promotions provide a fun, communal way to engage with the event. Sarah Miller, a Jets fan from Queens, said she’s planning to attend the watch party at The Gridiron with her friends. “I love watching the draft with other fans—it’s more fun to cheer (or groan) together,” Miller said. “The fact that we’re supporting a local business at the same time makes it even better. I’ll definitely be buying a Brooklyn Threads hoodie too—I want to represent the Jets and support a local store.” The New York Jets have also noticed an increase in fan engagement on social media, with fans sharing photos of themselves at local draft events and using the hashtag #JetsDraftLocal to document their experiences.

As the 2025 NFL Draft arrives, New York Jets Partner with Local Businesses for 2025 NFL Draft: Boosting Community and Fan Excitement stands as a model for how professional sports teams can collaborate with local businesses to create mutual success. The partnerships have not only boosted sales for small businesses but also deepened the Jets’ connection to the community, turning draft excitement into a shared celebration. For the New York Jets, the success of these collaborations has laid the groundwork for future partnerships—beyond the draft—with local businesses, including events during the regular season and offseason. “We’re already talking to some of these businesses about working together for training camp and the first home game,” Emily Carter said. “These partnerships are about more than one event; they’re about building long-term relationships that benefit everyone.” For local business owners like Tony Moretti, the partnership has been a dream come true. “I’ve been a Jets fan my whole life, and now my pizzeria is part of Jets history,” Moretti said. “That’s something I’ll never forget.” As fans gather at local bars, buy draft-themed merchandise, and enjoy Jets-inspired food, they’re not just celebrating the draft—they’re supporting their community and strengthening the bond that makes Jets Nation so special.