Sandra Douglass Morgan named as first black female president in NFL history

Las Vegas Raiders name former gaming control board chairwoman as team's new president

Sandra Douglass Morgan poses with Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby at a news conference announcing her as president of the Raiders NFL American football team. AP

Ms Morgan is the first black woman to hold this position in NFL history. AP

Ms Morgan alongside Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis at the announcement of her appointment. AP

Las Vegas native Ms Morgan is a former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman. AP

Mr Davis said Ms Morgan's 'experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organisation'. AP

Ms Morgan said she had taken the job 'because I believe in the promise of the Raiders'. Getty / AFP

Ms Morgan earned a bachelor of arts in political science from University of Nevada, Reno, before earning a juris doctor from UNLV's Boyd Law School. AP

As Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman, Ms Morgan was in charge of navigating the Covid-19 pandemic, closing and reopening casinos. AP

Ms Morgan also served on the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Most recently, she was with law firm Covington & Burling, LLP. Getty / AFP

'It is the honour of a lifetime to join the Raiders at one of the most defining times in the team's history,' Ms Morgan said. AP

The Las Vegas Raiders have named Sandra Douglass Morgan as the team's new president, making her the first black woman to hold that position in NFL history.

The Las Vegas native is a former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman and was most recently with the law firm Covington & Burling, LLP.

“It is the honour of a lifetime to join the Raiders at one of the most defining times in the team's history,” Ms Morgan said.

“This team's arrival in Las Vegas has created a new energy and opportunities we never dreamt possible. I look forward to taking this team's integrity, spirit and commitment to excellence on the field into every facet of this organisation.”

Raiders owner Mark Davis, who moved the team to Las Vegas from Oakland, California in 2020, praised Ms Morgan.

“I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family,” Mr Davis said.

“Her experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organisation. 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 franchise has recently seen rapid turnover of team presidents.

“Let me be clear, I am not here to avoid or sidestep problems or concerns that need to be addressed,” Ms Morgan said in a letter to members of the organisation, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

“I've given long and thoughtful consideration to joining you, and I've done so because I believe in the promise of the Raiders.

“Most importantly, I believe in your core values of integrity, community, and commitment to excellence. I will expect you to embody those and to hold me accountable to doing the same.”