Sandra Douglass Morgan Named New President of Las Vegas Raiders – First Black Woman Team President in NFL History

Sandra Douglass Morgan has been named as the new team president of The Las Vegas Raiders. The team made the

Jul 7, 2022
Sandra Douglass Morgan Named New President of Las Vegas Raiders - First Black Woman Team President in NFL History

Sandra Douglass Morgan has been named as the new team president of The Las Vegas Raiders. The team made the announcement just moments ago of the first Black woman team president in the NFL.

The El Dorado High School graduate is elated to be a part of Raider nation and so is owner Mark Davis. "I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family," said Davis. "Her experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organization. From the moment I met Sandra, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. We are extremely lucky to have her at the helm."

The former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman from 2019-2021, Morgan has four decades of residency in Vegas. She is well aware of the task that lies ahead. "I am not here to sweep anything under the rug," Morgan said in a press conference from Allegiant Stadium on Thursday afternoon – no doubt referencing all of the negative headlines from her new team in the short time they have resided in Vegas. Morgan is keenly aware she has a lot of hard work ahead of her, but she is hopeful in her new team. "I believe in the future of the Raiders."

Outside of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Morgan was named vice chair of the Las Vegas Super Bowl host committee. Allegiant Stadium will host the Super Bowl in 2024.

Raiders Troubled History – Front Office

The Las Vegas Raiders have had more drama on the field and the front office than there are lights on the strip. First, let’s talk about the reason for a new president in the first place.

In May of this year interim president Dan Ventrelle was let go. At the time the only statement released by the Raiders was from owner Mark Davis. “Dan Ventrelle is no longer with the Raiders organization. We will have no further comment at this time,” the statement read in part.

Ventrelle spoke out against the team claiming he was fired in retaliation for raising a flag on the organization's hostile-work environment. Ventrelle was named team president after the 2021 season. At first he took over the role on an interim basis – a role that was opened following the resignation of Marc Badain. Ventrelle had been a part of the organization since 2003 serving in various roles such as executive vice president and general council.

The firing of Ventrelle in May of 2022 was one of six top executives that had either quit or been let go since the franchise moved from Oakland to Las Vegas. That includes former head coach Jon Gruden. He stepped down as head coach after both the Washington Post and New York Times made public several homophobic and misogtnistic emails sent by Gruden that also included topless pictures of Washington Football Team cheerleaders. Gruden resigned four years into his 10-year deal.

Raiders Troubled History – Felonies on the Field

Perhaps the biggest scandal to shudder the silver and black came from Raiders WR

Henry Ruggs III . In November of 2021 Ruggs III was charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor after his involvement in a car crash. That accident caused the death of 23-year old Tina Tintor and her pet golden retriever. of a Las Vegas woman and her dog.

Multiple reports state that Ruggs III was traveling at 156 mph and showed he had a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit in Nevada.

Included in the four felonies are two counts of driving under the influence causing death or harm and two counts of reckless driving (a felony in Nevada if death or physical injury is resulted). Ruggs III was also charged with possessing a gun while under the influence – misdemeanor charge that carries a max of six months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.

The first round draft pick signed a four-year rookie contract with the Raiders that was said to be worth $16 million. Today, Ruggs is on house arrest in Las Vegas. If convicted, he faces anywhere from two to 50 years in a state prison. He was released from the Raiders hours after the deadly crash.

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