Fans of the Las Vegas Raiders see all the action on the field, including the last-minute touchdowns, the defensive stops, and dropped balls. What fans don’t know is what goes on behind the scenes. After all, professional sports organizations are businesses. The final product is a complex process. Sandra Douglass Morgan, the Las Vegas Raiders president, deserves much credit for the success of this professional football organization in terms of business and community. She is adamant about giving credit to her team.
Morgan states that a world-class leadership team, which is both committed to our mission and reflects the fan base and communities touched by our organization, will help deliver wins. “That begins with a world class leadership team that is committed to our organization’s mission, and also reflects the fan base and communities we serve .”
Morgan was the first Black woman to lead an NFL franchise. She was hired in 2022.
Morgan, a UNLV Boyd School of Law graduate, had already developed close ties with the NFL. She is married with former Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals safety Don Morgan. Sandra Douglass Morgan said her husband was supportive and “incredibly helpful”, in sharing his firsthand football knowledge.
He speaks the language, and has been a great supporter and encourager. Sandra Douglas Morgan, her wife, says that her husband often shares his experiences as a former player and alumnus. This helps me to focus on improving our organization. Don knew that in 2017, when the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, the team would transform the region. He was right. I was able to experience the sense of teamwork and community that is fostered within a team when traveling with Don throughout his playing career. .”
The Raiders President’s diverse upbringing makes him uniquely qualified
Sandra Douglass Morgan was born in Las Vegas, the daughter of an Air Force member and a Keno runner with Korena descent. She attributes much of her success due to the importance placed on education when she was growing up.
She credits her parents for instilling in her the importance of hard work in school, saying exactly what you meant, and following through on what you said. “That provided me with a solid foundation and a constant reminder of how important it is to treat people with dignity and respect.” This foundation has opened up so many doors in my career .”
Her roots are in the Las Vegas Valley. This made her the perfect choice for a Raiders team that played its first game in Las Vegas only in 2020. Her responsibilities extend beyond her success on the football field. The Raiders are committed to giving back to the community they have moved to.
All the roles that I’ve played in my career prepared me for today, when I lead a team which has left a lasting impression on our fans and community. She explains that she was raised in Nevada, and knows what makes the city and region so great.
Morgan, the Raiders president, is responsible for making sure that the Raiders home, Allegiant Stadium, will be a memorable experience, no matter what the event.
The Raiders President says that his mission is to use the resources of the team to make Allegiant Stadium the premier destination for Raiders games, concerts and events, with the best in class service. Allegiant Stadium must meet the high standards of hospitality offered by Las Vegas.
Sandra Douglass Morgan, a Las Vegas Raiders star, will never have to throw a touchdown. She has helped the Raiders win in ways that go beyond the football field.
Sandra Douglass Morgan has made great strides in providing more opportunities for women within the Raiders organization.
The Raiders’ newest president has just begun. She promises that “the best is yet ahead” .”
Vegas Legal Magazine Q&A with Las Vegas Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan
Sandra Douglass Morgan, the first Black woman in the NFL to lead a franchise, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The rise of Black women as leaders in sports is just the beginning of a long process to equalize the playing field. I am compelled to help the next generation of girls, women and people of colour realize their potential and take advantage of the opportunities that are available. These are the future general managers, team presidents and coaches. The best is still to come.
VLM: It is no secret that the NFL is a sports industry dominated by men. What are the challenges you have faced as a woman working in this industry?
SDM: The sports industry is changing as much as the business world. In industries that were traditionally dominated by men, such as sports and gaming, there are now more women in leadership positions. Too many barriers prevent women from reaching their full potential, despite our progress. I am committed to breaking these barriers down, which includes recent promotions and new hires of three women in our executive team. For our sports institution to deliver on-field wins, we need extraordinary talent at the helm and a culture that encourages collaboration and accountability. This starts with a leadership team of the highest caliber, who are committed to our vision and reflect our fan base as well as communities that our organization touches.
VLM: Your background is so diverse. You are both an attorney, and you were the former chairwoman for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. What do you think of your previous experience in your new role as president of the Las Vegas Raiders.
SDM: My career has prepared me to be able to lead this team, which has had a lasting impact on the fans and community. I was born and raised in Nevada, and I know what makes it great. I’ve served in many capacities in this region and city – as city attorney in North Las Vegas, chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and now president of the Las Vegas Raiders. I want to use the resources of our team to make Allegiant Stadium the premier venue for Raiders games, concerts and events, with top-notch service. Allegiant Stadium must provide the same level of service that Las Vegas is known for. Many of our visitors and fans are used to Las Vegas’s incredible hospitality. As a resident of Nevada for many years, I am aware that our employees are expecting the Raiders to continue to address issues of inequality, social injustice, and the environment so that we can be a beacon of hope for Raider Nation and the Nevada citizens who have helped create a region that players and fans enjoy.
VLM: I believe that most people know what an NFL owner or coach do. What is the role of a NFL president? What are your main duties as NFL president?
SDM: I am responsible for the success of our team off-field as President. This includes a variety of things, including being a good sponsor to our team, stadium operations, suite and loge sales, experiences and preserving Raiders rich history, as well as philanthropy and game day experiences. The Raider Image Stores, community engagement and more. As President, I believe that the most important part of my role is to ensure every member of the organization feels empowered and supported so they can perform at their best on and off the pitch.
VLM: As a Las Vegas native, you have seen the Las Vegas Valley develop. You graduated from UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law. What local connections could you use to help you as president of the Las Vegas Raiders team?
SDM: I have seen first-hand the impact that this city has had on the families, businesses, and young people who call it home. Arrival of the Raiders a few short years ago changed our community forever and opened up opportunities that we had never imagined were possible. The Raiders have a commitment to be a positive steward of the Las Vegas community, through philanthropy and economic empowerment. They also feel a sense of responsibility towards others. Over the years, our team has supported countless community and nonprofit organizations. It’s an honor to continue this support through the Raiders Foundation. The Raiders Foundation has donated more than $10 million to organizations in the region, including the Three-Square Food Bank and Nevada’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. Our work in the community is something we are very proud of, but it’s not over yet. Raiders, players, coaches and business and football operation teams are all committed to the region, its people and Raider Nation fans.
VLM: VLM, your father was a master sergeant in the Air Force at Nellis Air Force Base and your mother is a casino keno runner with Korean descent. How has your diverse background influenced your career?
SDM: My parents’ emphasis on education was the most influential part of my childhood. They both taught me to work hard in school and say what you mean. This gave me a solid foundation in life and reminded me of the importance in treating people with dignity and respect.
VLM: What made you choose to become the Las Vegas Raiders president instead of continuing on a career path in which you had already achieved much success? You must have liked the idea of taking on a new task.
SDM: Las Vegas shaped me into the leader and person I am today. When Mark Davis offered me this position, I felt compelled to give back to a community that had given me so many opportunities. I have seen first-hand how a major sports franchise can impact a city’s culture and economy. But what pushed me to accept the position was knowing that I would be trusted to lead the organization into the future.
VLM: As president of the Las Vegas Raiders, what are your goals? Do you have an estimated timeframe to reach your goals?
SDM: With the Raiders, I have many goals. One of them is to implement sustainable business practices in order to reduce our impact on the environment. Sport teams and stadiums are home to millions of fans around the world, giving us an opportunity to create a sustainable infrastructure. I am proud of our stadium’s energy-efficient lighting and water-saving technology, as well as its industry-leading carbon-tracking. Allegiant Stadium has been rated as one of the top stadiums in the world. We were thrilled to announce this summer that we had achieved LEED certification. Allegiant Stadium will be the first NFL stadium to be powered 100% by renewable energy by the end of 2023. We are also expanding our efforts to other aspects of our business.
VLM: In recent years, the Las Vegas Raiders have been in turmoil both on and off-field. Both of the previous presidents left their positions amid controversy. Prior to your hiring, there were also allegations that Raiders employees had been treated unfairly. What kind of culture would you like to create for the Raiders in light of all this turmoil?
SDM: Sport is a people-business, and as a leader, my goal is to get my team to respect each other as individuals in order to build the trust necessary to achieve success both on and off of the field. This trust will help the Raiders become the best sports organization. We’re committed to open and transparent measures of performance and pay equity. Our values of social equity, diversity and inclusion are the foundation for our organization. We are committed in providing the best resources and training to each of our employees.
VLM As a Las Vegas Valley native, what importance do you place on professional sports for the future of Las Vegas Valley’s economic development?
SDM: Sports and opportunity are closely linked in the minds of many people. In our short five years in Las Vegas, the Raiders have contributed significantly to the city. This is through the creation and maintenance of jobs, the continued support for local businesses, the economy, and partnerships as well as our investment in the neighborhoods that we call home. Allegiant Stadium is the host of marquee events such as the NFL Pro Bowl and the NFL Draft. The venue is a popular destination for concerts and large events, from Garth Brooks up to Beyonce. The stadium will host 107 events in 2022 attracting nearly 1.7 millions attendees.
VLM As vice chair of Super Bowl Host Committee can you give a preview to the readers of what they can expect for the Super Bowl 2024 in Las Vegas?
SDM: The year 2024 will be an exciting one, as it marks the first Super Bowl to be held in Las Vegas at the Allegiant Stadium. This is a momentous occasion for both the city of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. Super Bowl LVIII will generate an economic impact of nearly $700,000,000 and create more than 4,500 jobs, both full-time and part-time. As vice-chair of the Super Bowl LVIII host committee, I have seen firsthand how much time and effort has been put into creating a unique experience for players, fans and staff. Las Vegas knows how to entertain. The entertainment will extend far beyond the games to the entire region. The best party on the planet is guaranteed.
VLM: Al Davis, the late Raiders owner (in Oakland at that time), was a legend in NFL history. Mark Davis, the Raiders’ owner son, hired you. What is it like to work for Mark Davis? And what attracted you to the Raiders, the Davis family and Mark Davis himself?
SDM: The Raiders’ culture of excellence is what attracted me. It’s the basis of everything the team does. Al is known for his unwavering dedication to the team, and his tenacious drive to win. Mark lives by these values as the owner of the Raiders and carries his father’s legacy forward. Mark is deeply concerned about the Raiders and its alumni, players. employees, as well as all Raiders fans. He is unique because he always thinks of the fans, their experience and how our team interacts with them. It has been an amazing year. I have learned so much about what it is to be a Raider from him.
VLM: Don Morgan, a former Minnesota Vikings safety and Arizona Cardinals defender is your husband. What is the value of having a spouse who has such experience in the NFL as your husband?
SDM: He has been incredibly supportive and encouraging. He shares his experiences as a former player and alumnus which helps me to focus on improving our organization. Don was right when he predicted that, in 2017, the Raiders would change our region. I was able to experience the sense of teamwork and community that is fostered within a sports team while traveling with Don.
Valerie Miller, a journalist with a distinguished career in the Las Vegas Valley, can be reached at (702) 683-3986 or [email protected]. She can be reached at (702) 683-3986 or [email protected].
The article Las Vegas Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan helps team win off the field first appeared on Vegas Legal Magazine.