Sandra Douglass Morgan first black woman president of a franchise

The Las Vegas Raiders, an NFL franchise, named Sandra Douglass Morgan as president on Thursday. She is the first black woman to hold such a position in the American football championship.

Sandra Douglass Morgan, appointed head of the Las Vegas Raiders, became Thursday the first black woman president of an NFL franchise, the American football championship. She previously served as vice chair of the Las Vegas Super Bowl organizing committee and chaired the Nevada Gaming Control Commission from 2019 to 2021.

She has also worked as a Las Vegas City Attorney and an attorney for MGM International. « It is the honor of a lifetime to join the Raiders at one of the most important times in their history, » she wrote in a statement announcing her appointment.

The Raiders, who moved from Oakland, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2020, had already broken down barriers in 1979 by making Tom Flores the first Hispanic coach in NFL history, then appointing Art Shell the sport’s first modern-era black coach in 1989.

« We are extremely lucky to have him at the helm. »

Sandra Douglass Morgan becomes the third president of the Raiders in less than a year after the dismissal in May of Dan Ventrelle, who had succeeded Marc Badain, who resigned. « I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family, » franchise owner Mark Davis said. “The contribution of her experience, integrity and passion will be invaluable to us. From the moment I met Sandra, I knew she was a force we would need. We are extremely fortunate to have her. have at the helm. »

Morgan’s arrival comes nine months after coach Jon Gruden resigned following an NFL investigation into racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments he allegedly made in emails. Gruden was replaced by Rich Bisaccia, who led the Raiders to the playoffs, then the club hired Josh McDaniels as head coach last January.