The New York Giants are adding Dawn Aponte, a long-time NFL administrator, to their front office. Aponte will be a senior vice president of football operations.
Aponte has worked in the NFL since 1994, when she began her career as an accountant with the New York Jets. Most recently, Aponte was chief administrator of football operations for the NFL from 2017-2026. During her career, she has worked for the league twice.
Aponte has also worked for the Jets, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. She was with the Dolphins from 2010-2016. Giants general manager Joe Schoen was also in Miami’s front office at the time.
What will Aponte’s role be?
First, let’s clarify what Aponte’s hiring is not. A source confirmed that Aponte is not being hired to oversee Schoen. She is, basically, being hired into the position recently vacated by long-time Giants executive Kevin Abrams. His most recent title was senior vice president of football operations and strategy.
Per the New York Post, the hire will make Aponte the highest-ranking female executive ever for the Giants on the football side of the organization. Aponte’s primary responsibilities will be as the team’s chief contract negotiator and salary cap strategist.
Aponte has interviewed for general manager jobs in recent years. In 2024, she interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers’ GM position, and last offseason she interviewed for that role with the Jets.
This is a turbulent time for the Giants with Steve Tisch’s involvement in the Epstein files having been revealed and John Mara fighting cancer.
Aponte is a Staten Island native.
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