ARIANNA CRISCIONE
“Don't wait for anyone to invite you or pull out the chair for you. But once you have a seat, never forget to keep making the table bigger, and pull up chairs for other women.”
Meet Arianna Criscione, a former professional footballer turned entrepreneur, working to close the gender pay gap in sports. She is the first woman to graduate from the FIFA Diploma in Club Management and holds a master’s degree in football business. Arianna is the founder of Valeur, whose mission is to be the voice of pay equity in the sports industry—empowering women with the tools, skills, and networks to overcome institutional bias.
ARIANNA’S JOURNEY IN SPORT
“As a child, I wanted to be like my big sister. She started playing soccer as a goalkeeper, so I did too.
Being at the 1999 Women’s World Cup in the Rose Bowl and watching my heroes win the trophy was a pivotal moment for me. From that day on, I knew I wanted to be like those women—and that I could be.“
"My family has championed my journey. From my parents teaching me life lessons—my dad showing me how to be tough and strong, my mom proving I could scrape my knees, wash them off, and still be pretty in a dress. My sister has always been my biggest fan, my husband continuously supports my dreams and pushes me to reach higher, and my daughter reminds me to slow down and appreciate the little things and the small wins."
ADVICE TO WOMEN IN SPORT
“Walk into a room and make sure people know you are there. Walk up to the table pull out your own chair and put your elbows on the table. Don't wait for anyone to invite you or pull out the chair for you. But once you have a seat never forget to keep making the table bigger and pull up chairs for other women.”
BARRIERS TO DIVERSITY IN SPORT
“At Valeur we focus on a lack of salary transparency that stops women from understanding their worth in the industry. We are committed to leveling the playing field in the sports industry by tackling pay and opportunity inequities head-on.
Our three-pronged approach includes:
Data Driven Empowerment: salary transparency to support fair negotiations.
Community and Learning Hub: providing the tools and support women need in their careers.
Business Membership and FCorp: connecting talented women with inclusive companies and certifying businesses with a supportive culture.”
ARIANNA’S STORY TO TELL
"Perseverance and confidence can take you a long way. Be unapologetically yourself in following your dreams and striving for your goals. People will talk no matter what you do—so you might as well give’em something to talk about."
VALEUR SPORT
“At Valeur, our mission is to be the voice of pay equity within the sports industry, empowering women with the tools, skills, and networks to overcome institutional bias.
We fearlessly challenge existing norms, advocating for transparency in compensation structures and creating a level playing field where healthy competition flourishes.
Together, we break down barriers, rewrite the narrative, and forge a future where gender equality is the norm and women’s potential knows no bounds.”
EXPERT EXCHANGES
Expert Exchanges is a monthly interactive webinar series designed to empower women who are currently working or aspiring to work in the sports industry. Each session features an experienced professional who shares their insights and expertise on various topics to empower and advance women’s careers in the sports industry.
You can find out about these Expert Exchanges and sign up at the link below:
