According to Essence, the organization is the first in the league to have several positions held by Black individuals: the first Black woman president, Sandra Douglass Morgan; a Black head coach, Antonio Pierce; and a Black general manager, Champ Kelly.
The Raiders added to their leadership roster earlier this month by promoting Pierce, 45, as interim head coach. According to the Journal Star, the former New York Giants player spent two years as the Raiders’ linebackers coach before being appointed to his new role.
In July 2022, Blavity reported that Las Vegas-based attorney Douglass Morgan was named team president by owner and managing general partner Mark Davis.
“I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family,” Davis said in a statement obtained by ESPN. “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.”
According to ESPN, Douglass Morgan is the third woman and third Black person to become president of an NFL team. At the time, she spoke about making history and opening doors for other firsts in the league.
“I definitely never want to be the last,” Douglass Morgan said, according to the outlet, “and I want to get to a point where there is no more firsts.”
She also talked about her leadership role and her plans to improve the organization.
“It’s no secret that this organization has faced some recent challenges, but I want to be clear, I am not here to sweep anything under the rug or avoid problems or concerns that need to be addressed,” Morgan said.
“We have so much more to do, and I’m excited to be at the helm of that growth and look forward to ushering in the new chapter for the Raiders,” she said. “The fact is I have accepted this role because I believe in the promise of the Raiders, I believe in the future of the Raiders and I believe in this organization’s tenets of community, integrity and, most of all, commitment to excellence.”
As for Kelly, he previously held directorial roles with the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears. Sports Illustrated reported that the former wide receiver and defensive back joined the Raiders as their assistant general manager in 2022.
Earlier in November, Kelly was named the team’s interim general manager and discussed his new position with the organization.
“Make no mistake, I’m prepared for this position,” Kelly said, per Sports Illustrated. “I believe in the power of intercessory prayer. I know people all over the country are praying for me in this moment. I received so much support from colleagues, GMs across the league, former players, coaches, advisers, family and friends.”
