JOHNSON BULLISH ON PARIS, EFA VISION
Paris Musketeers co-owner Jason Johnson has outlined an ambitious vision for both his franchise and the emerging European Football Alliance (EFA), casting the 2026 season as a pivotal moment for the sport’s long-term direction in Europe.
In the first of a dozen planned messages to supporters ahead of kickoff weekend, Johnson framed the Musketeers’ project around culture and connection rather than short-term results, drawing on his NFL experiences to underline the importance of fan engagement.
“The sport took me to Canada … and eventually to Europe, where I had unforgettable seasons in Italy and Austria,” Johnson wrote. “At every step of the journey, I saw that this was about far more than just a game — it was a culture built on relationships.”
The Musketeers are one of the flagship organisations in the newly formed EFA, which launches this season with teams in major markets including Frankfurt, Munich, Prague, Copenhagen and Innsbruck. Johnson pointed to that alignment — both geographically and strategically — as central to the league’s identity.
“We want to revolutionise football on a global scale — and do so sustainably,” he said. “We want to import this culture and this spirit here, and build something unforgettable.”
However, the Musketeers’ push comes within an increasingly fragmented European landscape. Paris will also host a second professional team in 2026, with the Paris Lights set to compete in the rival AFLE competition, underlining both the growth of the sport and the divisions that continue to shape its future.
While Johnson did not address that rivalry directly, his emphasis on unity, shared vision and competitive balance within the EFA reflects a broader effort to differentiate the league’s structure and long-term strategy.
Central to that ambition is the promise of a stronger on-field product and enhanced presentation, with Johnson highlighting improved broadcast coverage and more consistently competitive match-ups as key pillars.
For the Musketeers, that vision begins at home. The team will play half of its games at Stade Bauer, with Johnson stressing the importance of building a strong local identity — a European equivalent of the NFL’s ‘12th Man’ — with the team already renowned for its ‘Red Company’ supporting section.
“We want a place where people come to feel connected: to the team, to the city and to each other,” he said.
With fan favourite Zach Edwards returning at quarterback after a year away from the game, and experience proliferating across the roster, expectations are rising on the field. But Johnson’s message remains rooted in something broader.
“We invite you to help us build this,” he added. “Because game day is nothing without its fans.”
As two leagues, two teams and competing visions converge on the French capital, Paris is set to become one of the defining battlegrounds in European American football in 2026 — with the Musketeers positioning themselves at the centre of the EFA’s long-term project.