Panthers, Raiders matchup featuring women-led teams makes history

Week 3’s matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers marked the first game in National Football League history between two teams with female presidents. Sandra Douglass Morgan (Raiders) and Kristi Coleman (Panthers) met pregame at Allegiant Stadium to commemorate the historic moment, each receiving commemorative footballs.

Both women were brought on as president by their respective teams in 2022.

Sandra Douglass Morgan became the first Black woman to serve as an NFL team president when the Raiders appointed her in July 2022. With two decades of leadership experience in the sports, gaming, legal and corporate sectors, she now proudly leads the Silver and Black in her hometown.

“This moment is a testament to the evolving landscape of the NFL, where leadership is becoming more inclusive and diverse,” said Morgan, highlighting the milestone.

After eight years with the Panthers' organization, Kristi Coleman was promoted to president in February 2022. She became the second female president in NFL history, after Kim Pegula of the Buffalo Bills.

Coleman has risen from controller to director of finance, to vice president and CFO to president during her tenure with Carolina.

“I’m really proud of this moment,” Coleman said ahead of the game. “It shows you can be anything, as long as you do a good job.”

Both trailblazers have replica commemorative footballs inside the Hall of Fame’s “Women in Football” display.