The Raiders have named Las Vegas attorney Sandra Douglas Morgan as their new team president, becoming the first black woman to hold the title of team president for an NFL franchise.
A Las Vegas native, Morgan joins the Raiders after previously serving as president and chief executive officer of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. AT&T Services, Inc. of Southern Nevada. He has served as Director of External Affairs and as Solicitor for an international sports and hospitality company.
“I’m thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement. “Your experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our company. From the moment I met Sandra I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. We are very happy to have them at the helm.”
Morgan, the first person of color to head the Nevada Gaming Control Board, is the third woman and third African American to serve as NFL team president.
He’s the latest Raiders recruit to break barriers. Former Raiders coach Tom Flores was the first Hispanic head coach to win a Super Bowl title, and former coach Art Schell was the first black head coach in the NFL’s Super Bowl era.
Morgan, who spent eight years with the city of North Las Vegas, was also the first black city attorney in the state of Nevada, serving in that role from 2013-2016.
“Obviously I don’t want to be last,” Morgan said, “and I want to take a point that’s not first.”
In his opening press conference at Allegiant Stadium, Morgan emphasized leadership and total transparency.
“We still have work to do and I’m excited to be at the forefront of this development and look forward to a new chapter for the Raiders,” said Morgan. “The truth is that I took on that role. I believe in the riders’ promise, I believe in the riders’ future, and I believe in the principles of this organization: community, integrity, and most importantly, a commitment to excellence.
He is taking over a team that has been through turbulent times in the front office, with two senior executives and several long-time executives who left the company within a year.
Dan Wentrell took over on an interim basis in July 2021 and was promoted to a full-time position in January after Mark Paden stepped down as president last summer.
But Ventrell left within a year of joining. In a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Ventrell said he was fired in retaliation for raising concerns from multiple employees to the NFL about a “hostile work environment.”
“It’s no secret that the organization has faced some challenges lately, but I want to make it clear that I’m not here to sweep anything under the rug or avoid any issues or concerns that need to be addressed,” Morgan said . “It wasn’t. I’ve lost sight of the fact that this is an important and defining moment in the NFL. It’s important to me and my goal is to make a meaningful contribution beyond the Raiders family.
An outstanding defensive end Max CrosbyRaiders players who attended Morgan’s debut said they were excited to begin a new chapter.
“It’s incredible,” Crosby said. “First, Mark has done an incredible job of breaking down barriers and it started with his dad. You know, be open and give everyone an equal opportunity. She’s really great for the job and it’s going to be great and we’re excited for the future.”
Coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler welcomed Morgan in a prepared statement.
“We congratulate Sandra Douglas Morgan on her historic appointment as team president and are delighted to welcome her to the Raiders family. Sandra brings impressive leadership experience to the organization and we look forward to working with her as we continue to build a championship-level culture. and team,” the statement said.
Morgan’s husband Dan played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals between 1999 and 2002.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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