Next Woman Up: Maria Gigante, VP of United Kingdom Operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Women are rising up the ranks throughout professional football, earning positions of power in a space that for too long was ruled almost exclusively by men. We’re seeing more and more women breaking barriers in the sport, but what are the stories beyond the headlines? Who are the women shaping and influencing the NFL today? Answering those questions is the aim of the Next Woman Up series. While the conversational Q&As are edited and condensed for clarity, this is a forum for impactful women to share experiences in their own words. Without further ado, we introduce:

Maria Gigante, Jacksonville Jaguars

Position: Vice President of United Kingdom Operations

How did you get your start in a career in football?

I began my journey in the league in December 1993, thanks to a family link. A receptionist role was available at the time, and considering I was fresh out of school with limited experience, I seized the opportunity. My starting point was when the NFL office was based at 410 Park Avenue, New York. From there, I gradually climbed the ladder within the organization.

At the time, I was employed in retail licensing and my workspace was humorously referred to as a ‘fish bowl’. My main duties involved facilitating people’s access to the building. My neighboring colleague, who served as the vice president’s assistant of the department, was planning to leave her position. Consequently, she delegated some of her tasks to me. Remarkably, in just two months, I had the opportunity to attend my first Super Bowl with the league in Atlanta.

That’s when I got more involved in the events side of retail licensing — like trade shows, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl — and I was able to officially work for the VP of the department. He gave me a lot of opportunities to lead projects and events, and I found myself on the international side of the business. My first assignment was a trade show in Monte Carlo. Then I started to do preseason games, so I worked the preseason series games in Tokyo, Mexico and worked across Europe in the 1990s. There were so many different opportunities along the way to build upon my event knowledge and the inner workings of a football team and what it requires when traveling. I was able to make connections with a lot of people around the league and gain experience working with the different teams in international markets.

When the International Series first launched, I was part of the events team in New York, remotely managing the London games. The back and forth travel was feasible with one game, however, it became a challenge when multiple games were introduced. Consequently, the league offered me to relocate to the U.K. for a couple of years to help set things up and collaborate with the U.K. office, which was an expat opportunity. Despite my initial hesitations, given my two young children and my divorced status, I accepted the offer and left my children in the U.S. as I divided my time between the two countries. After the initial two years, the league requested me to extend my stay for an additional year. In 2017, I became an official U.K. employee after permanently moving there.

The league had been collaborating with the Jaguars post-pandemic to understand the requirements for a team to conduct a game in the U.K. I was coordinating with Kelly Flanagan, an ex-Jaguars executive, at that time and spearheading this project for the league. After successfully concluding the first international game in 2021 post-pandemic, Kelly presented me an excellent proposal to join the Jaguars in my current position and truly initiate something from scratch. This was the main aspect that enticed me to leave the league and start working for a team. There wasn’t a predefined model for how things should be done. Instead, it was an opportunity to mold and create something that the team could deliver. While it was similar to my role with the league, being on the team side was exciting, especially having been associated with league operations for so long.

Can you walk me through what being the Vice President of U.K. Operations entails?

When I was first offered the position, the definition of my role was to successfully deliver the game — to develop a relationship with Wembley Stadium, get the contract done and make sure the first game we played was a success. As we were going through that, I got to understand more of the business and everything else the club did in this market. I think there is this preconceived notion that the business is really structured around this one game each year. I feel the opposite. The game is a big part of what we do, but the business is structured on everything outside of that game, with the ability to activate and be successful in the market 365 days a year.

We have an extensive grassroots program, which is probably the largest delivery of flag football in Europe. We have over 90,000 kids playing JagTag and extensive programs underneath our Union Jax Club. There is so much more to what we do than just deliver the game. To me, that was the most exciting bit.

The Jaguars played back-to-back games in the U.K. this season, making them the first team to do so. What were some of the challenges of that? What were some highlights?

The majority of the football operations and logistics for anything team-related in the U.K. is done within my team. We work closely with our football department in the U.S. and lead the charge for the team arrangements. I’d say that was the most challenging part, making sure there was consistency even though the team played the first game at Wembley Stadium and the second at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That and differentiating the fact that we ran the first game — a home game for us — and being the away team for the second, which the league ran. We navigated the dynamic of having the ability to deliver a game like we would do in Jacksonville, with all of the rights and bells and whistles, before taking a back seat to our game at Tottenham because the Buffalo Bills were the designated team. I found that to be a bit challenging.

Finding out how to really take advantage of it was also a challenge. As an organization, we really wanted to maximize every opportunity. There was an overwhelming sense that everything needed to go well for the football team, so we knew we had to deliver and be successful. I would say winning both games in London then coming off the trip and winning vs. Indianapolis was the trifecta, if you will.

Having worked within the league for 30 years, are you at all surprised to see how the game has grown internationally?

Reflecting on the times we organized preseason games in Tokyo, it was a challenging task to get teams to agree due to the excessive effort involved. The journey itself took about 24 hours, followed by arranging accommodation, dealing with language issues, and adjusting to the time difference. It almost felt like a losing battle even before we arrived. However, once the teams were present and operations began, the potential for success became evident. Even though I have been involved in Super Bowls and Pro Bowls, the thrill of international opportunities has always been more appealing to me as it was a unique experience. We witnessed the fan base expanding, and fans welcomed our efforts. Nothing was overlooked or underestimated.

I guess I am surprised by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s ambition, especially having a regular-season game in Brazil next season. There were three games in the U.K. and two in Germany this year. We are so spread out, but at the same time, I truly believe it is the right thing for the league to be doing. Having seen it grow from those first preseason games, it absolutely makes sense that we’re in this progression.

Focusing on the U.K. specifically, how do you see the league growing there?

I would love the Jags to be the team that truly becomes the U.K.’s team. Given the other NFL teams in the U.K. market, I believe we have a little bit of a leg up. It’s certainly a market that can sustain a team, given how much the fandom has grown, the enthusiasm from commercial partnerships, and media partners wanting to do more with us. There has been great momentum, and we’ve seen a bit of a shift in terms of a team coming over and operating the game. We’re seeing it’s possible to be successful. If I had my wish, we’d be playing more games here, but of course, there is a balance.

My desire is to witness the expansion of American football in the market. I am optimistic about having more chances to discuss all our other initiatives such as grassroots programs and aiding the league to further develop the sport. This essentially defines the Jaguars. We are leading the way in the league’s global ambitions. We are aiding the growth of American football in the U.K., a task we undertake with pride and joy because it benefits everyone, including the owners and our organization.

It has been great to see how much the sport has grown. Now, let’s shift to mentorship. Do you have any mentors who’ve helped you along the way, and what advice have you received from them?

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible bosses, both male and female. These individuals have often served as mentors, playing a significant role in shaping my career. One such mentor is Dawn Aponte, the Chief Football Administrative Officer of the NFL. Despite our different family backgrounds, Dawn, a fellow Staten Island girl, has been a pillar of support. As a mother, I’ve made unconventional decisions regarding my children, often facing judgment from others. However, through my conversations with Dawn, I felt reassured that I was making the right choices.

Another influential figure in my career is Sara Levinson, the former president of NFL properties. As a mother herself and one of the pioneering women leaders in the league, Sara has been a source of encouragement and support. She would often check in with me to ensure I was receiving the necessary support.

More recently, I’ve learned a lot from Kelly Flanagan, particularly her composure in meetings and her approachable demeanor. Her thoughtful words and actions played a significant role in my decision to join the Jags. Thankfully, throughout my time in the league, I’ve encountered numerous individuals who have offered their support, for which I am grateful.

And now paying it forward: What advice do you have for women interested in a career in football?

Never believe that being a woman will hinder your progress. If you perform your duties efficiently, opportunities will come your way. I didn’t graduate from a prestigious Ivy League institution or possess the academic pedigree that others in the league did, but through tireless effort, dedication, and building a solid reputation, I succeeded.

How have you seen the industry change for women since you began your career?

Undoubtedly, the focus on women in sports and the opportunities available have increased. It is no longer a rare sight. Nowadays, at meetings, you can observe three or four women present, which is a stark contrast to earlier in my career when I might have been the sole female presence.

Lastly, what would you say you are most proud of?

Successfully being a mother to my two amazing children who have witnessed my growth in my role, while also relocating to another country without breaking our bond, is my greatest achievement. They are now here with me and have experienced this journey with me. The fact that we made it to the other side together is incredibly fulfilling. My job has exposed them to various parts of the world, and they understand, respect, and aspire to be part of it.