In 2020, Jason Wright became the first Black team President in NFL history. Since then, there has been a notable increase in Black NFL team presidents, with the New York Times analysing that currently, more than 15% of the league’s presidents are Black.
In July 2022, Sandra Douglass Morgan, a Las Vegas native, was named the new team president of the Las Vegas Raiders, making history as the first Black woman to hold a top leadership position.
“I’m hopeful my appointment will show traditionally underrepresented groups – whether they be women, LGBTQ, people of color, veterans or those with disabilities – that they, too, can have a presence at every level in the sports and entertainment industry.” – Sandra Douglass Morgan, Essence
A champion of equity and respect, Douglass is no stranger to breaking barriers. Prior to her role as President of the Las Vegas Raiders, she made history as the first person of color appointed as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and was also the first Black city attorney in the state of Nevada, when she served for the City of North Las Vegas. In 2021, she became legal counsel for Covington & Burling LLP law firm, started her own consulting business and joined the Las Vegas committee for the Super Bowl LVIII.
With such a remarkable background, it comes as no surprise that her name was at the top of the list of candidates for her current role, following the sudden departure of the previous two presidents. “From the moment I met Sandra, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with,” said Mark Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, to the Washington Post. Although she initially hesitated when offered the position, she saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact.
Committed to creating opportunities for women in sports, Morgan’s appointment marks a new era for the NFL and we’re here for it.
