The Raiders hired a new president on the same day, but Mark Davis, the team owner, addressed deeper issues that had triggered an organizational upheaval. In comments to Mick Akers, the Las Vegas Review-Journal's editor, Davis discussed the new claims of workplace dysfunctionality and hostility.
Davis stated that the culture of the organization is very important to him. "Since the articles came out, not just in the New York Times but also in the [Review-Journal] . . Those are things I take very seriously. We did an investigation and listened to those who worked in the company. I believe that we made the necessary changes to bring the culture back into a positive place.
The fact that Raiders conducted their own investigation will bring back memories of Commissioner Roger Goodell's February explanation that a team (in this case the Commanders), cannot conduct its own investigation. It is not known what role the league played in this process.
Sandra Douglass Morgan has been hired to be the Raiders' new president. Heather DeSanto has been hired by the Raiders to become their new V.P. Human resources.
Davis stated that Morgan understands that people come first, and that is what Davis hopes to create in the culture. She is looking forward to getting to know everyone in the organization one-on-one and asking for their feedback to help build that family culture again.
Former H.R. employee Nicole Adams is one of the most vocal critics on the team's record. Nicole Adams, an employee, is open to the possibility of a change, provided it's not just window dressing.
Adams shared this message with Akers via text: "I think it is a wonderful step [Davis] has taken towards trying to improve team's image. But hiring the first Black female president does not necessarily mean that things are going to change." "I hope the new president will be a leader who truly wants to improve the culture and not just someone to take their heat."
Davis believes that changes in culture will be made by changing the personnel.
Davis explained to Akers, "We were becoming more corporate in an organization where a title was greater than the person wearing it." It got to the point that people could be replaced. "We can find [a senior vice-president] anywhere. That's not what Raiders has ever been about." It has always been about family and the people. . . . "We never had the opportunity to create a culture that would propel the Las Vegas Raiders."
This momentum must be built now. It will be very beneficial if things improve, but the real question is what happened in the past and who will hold them accountable.
This is the common thread the Raiders situation shares in common with Washington's past issues. The situation is changing and hopefully for the best. It's not as simple as putting a new coat of paint on an old wall. It is important to fully understand the past and to ensure that the league and the team give the right to those responsible for misconduct a don't repeat it.
The Raiders will hopefully welcome this. They will not react in the same way as the Commanders over the past weeks. Ownership has lashed out at those with unanswered questions about the truth and the future.
