The Las Vegas Raiders has made history by hiring the first African American female as its franchise president.
Sandra Douglas Morgan, 44, has only been hired for a short time as president, but she is not new to football and business knowledge.
Morgan credits to her family of passionate football fans and her husband, a former NFL safety, for her familiarity with football.
“I have accepted this role because I believe in the promise of the Raiders, I believe in the future of the Raiders,” Morgan said at a news conference.
Morgan is a Las Vegas native with a wealth of experience in Nevada’s gaming industry, including in the Raiders’ new home city, which made her an obvious candidate for the Raiders’ open president position, ABC News reported July 14.
According to Wikipedia, Morgan earned a bachelor degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a law degree from UNLV’s Boyd Law School. She served in the following capacities prior to taking over as the Raiders’ team president:
• Litigation attorney, MGM Resorts International;
• City attorney, North Las Vegas (2013-16);
• Director of external affairs, AT&T Services Inc. (2016-19);
• Chairwoman, Nevada Gaming Control Board (2019-21), where she also broke barriers as being the first Black woman in that position.
Morgan’s Wikipedia entry stated she also served on the Nevada State Athletic Commission prior to her role as Raiders’ president.
During her time as chairwoman of the gaming control board, Morgan instituted cashless wagering regulations and policies against discrimination and harassment among gaming licensees. She was also in charge of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic — for the closing and reopening of casinos as necessary for safety.
“I’m just really, really lucky to have this opportunity and hopefully open doors for many other women and women of color in leadership roles in sports,” Morgan said to ABC News.
Morgan seized the opportunity for the position when former Raiders President Dan Ventrelle was let go after less than a year at the position, said ABC News.
“I can’t wait to have this new season and a full stadium at Allegiant Stadium,” Morgan said. “We’re ready to go and ready to kick it off.”
