Sandra Douglass Morgan is the newly appointed President of the Las Vegas Raiders, making history as the first Black woman to hold this position in the NFL. Morgan brings a wealth of experience and passion to the position, marking a significant milestone in a league where diversity in leadership has often been a challenge.
Morgan, who was born and raised in Las Vegas, has had significant experience in Nevada's gaming industry, making her a natural fit for the Raiders' president position. She might not be a familiar name in NFL circles, but she was well-known for serving as the chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board from 2019 to 2021, breaking both gender and color barriers in the process, according to Defender Network.Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Juris Doctor from UNLV's Boyd Law School. Her diverse career includes roles as a litigation attorney at MGM Resorts International, city attorney in North Las Vegas, and director of external affairs at AT&T Services Inc.
Beyond her connections to the gaming industry, Morgan has ties to the NFL through her roles on the Las Vegas Super Bowl host committee and the board of directors of Allegiant Travel Co., the parent company of Allegiant Air, which holds naming rights for the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium.
Moreover, Morgan is married to Don Morgan, a former NFL receiver. She is also actively involved in organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
While making history as the first Black woman to lead an NFL team, she follows a legacy of breaking barriers at the Raiders, who had the first Black coach in the NFL's modern era in 1989 and the first female NFL CEO, Amy Trask, in 1997.
Morgan's appointment was announced internally, replacing Dan Ventrelle, who left amid claims of a hostile workplace. She takes on the role at a challenging time for the Raiders, following the resignations of multiple presidents and front-office executives. Despite that, she expressed her excitement about joining the team during this pivotal moment in its history.
"I am thrilled to join you as we embark on one of the most exciting times in the history of our organization," Morgan said.
Be sure to follow Morgan on Instagram @SDMRaiders1