Changing the Playbook: How ‘Philly Phantomz’ are Leading a New Era

For most girls growing up in Philadelphia, football is a sport reserved for boys. But for Star Wright, the owner and heart of the Philly Phantomz, it was never about limits. It was about proving that women could play, compete, and thrive in the game they loved.

Standing on a bare field in North Philadelphia over a decade ago, Wright’s vision was simple yet revolutionary: “I CAN PLAY,” she wrote on a whiteboard during one of the team’s first practices. “I was tired of hearing that no, we couldn’t.”

From those scrappy beginnings, the Phantomz have grown into a force not just on the field but in the community, creating a lasting platform for women athletes in a sport that often overlooks them.

To understand just how much this milestone means, you have to go back to the very beginning of the Phantomz’ journey. The team was officially founded in 2015 by Wright, who wanted to create a space where women could compete in full-contact football at a professional level.

With limited resources, no sponsors, and little recognition, the Phantomz often practiced on borrowed or even locked fields, piecing together uniforms and equipment however they could.

Despite these challenges, the team quickly earned a reputation for grit and determination, becoming Philadelphia’s first women’s tackle football team to gain consistent traction. Over the years, they’ve built a name not only through their play but also through their dedication to uplifting their community by feeding families during the holidays, running free youth clinics, and proving that women’s football belongs in Philly’s sports landscape.

“We aren’t just playing football; we are building a sisterhood and serving the community,” Wright reflects. From day one, she wanted to give every woman who felt sidelined a chance to step onto the turf.

Over the years, that vision has expanded from one local team into a movement for opportunity and empowerment by becoming mentors as much as athletes, showing young women that football can be both a passion and a pathway.

For players like Jelisa Fladger, the team is a home. “I’ve always wanted to play football but didn’t know where to look, ” Fladger says. “From day one, the Phantomz made me feel welcomed.”

The road hasn’t been easy. Wright recounts sneaking into locked stadiums when no official fields were available and balancing the team’s finances on her own dime. Stereotypes were relentless: “People would ask,‘You play tackle football? Like lingerie football?’” she says.

Over time, however, the team let their play do the talking. By showing grit, skill, and unyielding determination, the Phantomz earned respect both on and off the field. Their story is one of persistence, proving that even in the face of doubt, women’s football has a rightful place in Philly’s sports culture.

Their impact extends far beyond wins and losses. Players describe how football has shaped them, teaching lessons in empathy, patience, and resilience. Fladger reflects, “I’ve learned to never give up, and that size really doesn’t matter. Football is a powerful way to grow confidence and make friends.”

The Phantomz are carving a place for women in the same hallowed ground. Fans like Hailee Browntree echo this impact: “I’ve followed the Phantomz for years and love going to the games. They’ve brought something special to Philly sports, and it’s inspiring to watch women compete with so much heart.”

Wright points to moments that capture the essence of the Phantomz. From the team’s first win in front of a small crowd to late-night pizza trips following tough losses, she says it’s the bonds off the field that define them. These shared experiences form the heartbeat of the organization.

As the team celebrates its 10th season, Wright’s vision for the future is as ambitious as ever. She hopes the Phantomz will one day be a permanent fixture in Philadelphia sports culture, with a youth academy and a strong legacy that empowers girls to step onto the field with confidence. Beyond Philly, she imagines a global impact, inspiring women and girls from Ghana to Morocco, demonstrating that women can compete and win anywhere.

For the Phantomz, the message is clear: football is not just a male sport, and anyone with passion and persistence can succeed. Wright smiles as she describes the effect on the next generation: “I want a little girl walking by our practice to see us and think, ‘I can play too.’” And with every season, the Phantomz prove that the game has no gender, only heart.

In a city famed for champions, the Philly Phantomz have carved their own legacy. They’ve built a team, a family, and a movement all rooted in the belief that women deserve their place on the field.

As Star Wright, Jelisa Fladger, and their teammates continue to break barriers, one thing is clear, Philadelphia’s women’s football is here to stay, and it’s rewriting the playbook for generations to come.