Former Las Vegas attorney Sandra Douglass Morgan is officially the first black woman to be appointed as an NFL team president in league history. The historic moment came following the Raider’s announcement that Morgan would take over for Dan Ventrelle who left the team following less than a year on the job.
“I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family,” said Raiders Owner Mark Davis in a prepared statement. “Her experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organization. From the moment I met Sandra, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. We are extremely lucky to have her at the helm.”
A Las Vegas native herself, Morgan has previously had stints with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and as a litigation attorney. While the NFL had previously seen two female presidents, Morgan becomes the first black woman to hold the position at the NFL level.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to join the Raiders at one of the most defining times in the team’s history,” said Morgan. “This 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.”
The Raiders have seen more than their fair share of off field issues over the past few seasons including parting ways with former head coach Jon Gruden, and a subsequent lawsuit, as well as turnover at the team president position. The previously mentioned Ventrelle lobbed allegations of a “hostile work environment” against the organization, while his predecessor Marc Badain resigned as president shortly before Ventrelle assumed the role.
The hiring of Morgan hopes to stabilize what has thus far been a rocky tenure for the franchise in Las Vegas thus far.
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