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Carducci

Caitlin Carducci


Director, Player Affairs
NWSL


FIELD  
ADMINISTRATION

JOINED  
2021



 

Could you share a little bit of background about yourself?

I’m the Director of Player Affairs at the NWSL. Our department is responsible for tracking player movement, executing agreements and implementing league policies.

Outside of work, I’m a devout runner (specifically marathons), and I love spending time with my family, and finding/watching new TV shows.



All pathways are different; how did you get to where you are?

After law school, I knew I wanted to work in sports, but also wanted to use my degree, so I started in NCAA Compliance. After working in compliance for 5 years, I moved to U.S. Soccer and oversaw the Member Programs department, where I worked with all of the Organization Members in a variety of ways, such as registration, programming, communication and events. I moved to the NWSL earlier this year because I wanted to go back to using my legal background more frequently.



When did you realize this job was the right fit for you?

When I sat through a 2+ hour meeting reviewing a policy manual, line-by-line, and thought to myself, “Man, this is fun!”



What skills do you use every day?

Communication, collaboration and compromise.



What advice would you give to women seeking a position in the sports industry?

Don’t be intimidated. Believe in yourself and your skills/abilities. You may be the youngest person in the room, or the only female (or other minority) but don’t let those circumstances dictate your contribution. Share your knowledge, toss out the idea, and express your opinion.

Have fun! Laugh and enjoy yourself. There is a time to be serious, but don’t lose the joy you find both in your work and sport. We aren’t saving lives (per se), but we’re bringing joy to life.



What is one piece of advice you wished someone had told you before starting this career path?

There’s no set path or consistent trajectory. There will be ups and downs, and how you adjust and adapt to the ebbs and flows will help.