Sandra Douglass Morgan makes history as new Las Vegas Raiders president

Las Vegas, Nevada - Sandra Douglass Morgan became the first Black female team president in NFL history on Thursday as she took up the top role at the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sandra Douglass Morgan (l) and owner and managing general partner Mark Davis (r) of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sandra Douglass Morgan (l) and owner and managing general partner Mark Davis (r) of the Las Vegas Raiders.  © Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

In 1997, the Raiders made history as the first NFL team to have a woman CEO when Amy Trask took on the role.

Today, the franchise continues to blaze a trail in the NFL with the hiring of Sandra Douglass Morgan as the first Black woman team president.

A Las Vegas native, Morgan most recently served as chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and also worked on the Nevada Gaming Commission as the director of external affairs for AT&T. She was previously the city attorney of North Las Vegas and an attorney for MGM Mirage.

"I have been the first in other positions that I've held, whether it be city attorney or the Gaming Control Board," Morgan said during her introductory presser Thursday. "I definitely never want to be the last, and I want to get to a point obviously where there is no more first. But as I kind of mentioned in my comments, the impact that this has is not lost on me. "

"I definitely would tip my hat to all of the prior women that were leaders and visionaries, and if I could be an inspiration or help or open doors for any other woman and girl out there, then that's an incredible accomplishment for me."

Morgan believes in the future of the Raiders

Sandra Douglass Morgan speaking during her introductory presser.
Sandra Douglass Morgan speaking during her introductory presser.  © Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

While Morgan’s hire is a win for Black people and those of color across the league, the timing of the new role hiring has raised some eyebrows.

Morgan's hire comes two months after interim president Dan Ventrelle left the organization after less than a year on the job.

Ventrelle believes he was fired in retaliation for bringing concerns from multiple employees to the NFL about a "hostile work environment," to which the NFL is currently looking into the allegations.

"When Mark and I first discussed this opportunity, I was honored and humbled, but I also had a lot of questions," Morgan said. "It's no secret that this organization has faced some recent challenges. But I want to be clear: I'm not here to sweep anything under the rug or avoid problems or concerns that need to be addressed."

"The fact is I accepted this role because I believe in the promise of the Raiders, I believe in the future of the Raiders and I believe in this organization's tenets of integrity, community and, most of all, commitment to excellence. I believe in the Davis family's legacy of celebrating and promoting diversity in every sense of that word. I believe in this community that we now call home that has embraced this team with open arms."

Morgan is now the third team president within the last 12 months. As team president, Morgan will oversee all finances and budgets for the Silver and Black organization, as well as run the day-to-day operations with each department within Raiders HQ.

Cover photo: Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

More on NFL: