She’ll be leading the Las Vegas Raiders!
Sandra Douglass Morgan has made history as the first Black woman team president in NFL history, ABC News reports.
Morgan is no stranger to firsts, previously serving as the first Black city attorney in the city of North Las Vegas and the first Black woman to chair the Nevada Gaming Control Board. A native of the state, Morgan has made serious strides, currently serving as an attorney at Covington and Burling LLP and as a member of the board of directors for Allegiant Travel Company and Caesars Entertainment. Now she is making history, recently being named president of the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the first Black woman in NFL history to serve in such a capacity.
"I want to get to a point obviously where there is no more firsts."
— NFL (@NFL) July 8, 2022
Sandra Douglass Morgan reflects on becoming the first Black female team president in NFL history. 🙌 (via @Raiders) pic.twitter.com/z6p6jZzULD
Her appointment comes just months after former team president Dan Ventrelle was fired. A polarizing decision within the organization, other senior-level employees have resigned after the decision including chief financial officer Ed Villanueva who has been with the Raiders for nearly two decades. The historic appointment of Morgan marks a shift in the organization and the league as a whole, marking the first intersectional advance since Amy Trask’s appointment as the first woman CEO of an NFL team in 1997.
Mark Davis, the owner of the Raiders, spoke about Morgan’s hire via a press release, writing, “I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family.”
A message from Head Coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler ☠️ pic.twitter.com/YbN4DP0OsK
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 7, 2022
Head coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler also issued a joint statement via Twitter welcoming Morgan.
“Sandra brings impressive leadership experience to the organization, and we are thrilled to work with her as we continue to build a championship-caliber culture and team,” they said.
Despite the various challenges she faces coming onboard, Morgan is up for the challenge, calling the appointment an “honor.”
“It is the honor of a lifetime to join the Raiders at one of the most defining times in the team’s history…The team’s arrival in Las Vegas has created a new energy and opportunities we never dreamed possible. I look forward to taking this team’s integrity, spirit, and commitment to excellence on the field into every facet of this organization,” said Morgan.
Congratulations, Sandra on your new historic role!
Photo Courtesy of NFL