LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — During Black History Month, the Las Vegas Raiders are highlighting what they call a long-standing commitment to inclusion, from the “Al Davis era” to today’s front office.
Bringing in diverse personnel has been important for the Raiders franchise — an emphasis team leaders say goes back decades, to former owner Al Davis, who was known around the league for pushing inclusion, diversity, and equality.
“And that carried over, obviously, into the family. You go back into history. There’s been plenty, but obviously, Art Shell was one of the first coaches,” said Brandon Hunt, Raiders VP of Player Personnel.
Breaking barriers in Las Vegas
After moving to Las Vegas, the team continues to break barriers. In 2022, Sandra Douglass Morgan became the first Black and Asian female president in the National Football League when the Raiders named her to the role.
Hunt says the history matters because it sets a standard for what the building is supposed to represent.
“We’re all standing on the shoulders of the giants before us. And he was definitely one of those. And it’s just awesome walking in this building, being a part of this organization, and knowing the history of the organization,” Hunt said.
NFL-wide efforts to expand leadership pathways
Hunt has worked for several NFL teams and says across the league, there has been a growing effort to create more pathways into leadership, especially in front office roles.
“The NFL is definitely trying its best to be intentional and give us all more opportunities and give us the chance to be at the forefront. There’s a bunch of different programs, the Accelerator program that they’ve tried to incorporate, and they’re trying to revamp that,” Hunt said.
Hunt says representation matters off the field, too, and hopes that in the future, jobs in the front office will include more diverse perspectives. Hunt, who started as a college player before getting opportunities in personnel on three NFL teams and was part of a Super Bowl win with the Eagles, says the goal now is to keep building and to keep that door open for whoever is next — especially the players he mentors.
“I look at it as an opportunity to just help those behind us the same way that the ones before us did as well,” Hunt said.
The Raiders say they will continue to focus on inclusion when trying to get more talent into the organization, while also trying to give them more opportunities and retain them.
The team says its commitment to supporting underrepresented groups extends to stadium workers, with 71% being women or people of color.
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