The NFL's Panthers-Raiders game is a first with two female presidents leading the teams.

• On Sunday, the NFL game between the Panthers and Raiders will feature the first matchup of two female presidents in professional football.
• Out of the NFL's 32 teams, only two female presidents exist: Carolina Panthers President Kristi Coleman and Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan.
• In recent years, the NFL has intensified its efforts to enhance gender diversity within its organization.

On Sunday, the NFL will witness a historic first when the Carolina Panthers face off against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Two female presidents will face off in professional football for the first time in the NFL, representing a small but growing group of women in the league's front office.

"Carolina Panthers President Kristi Coleman expressed her pride in the moment ahead of the game, stating, "It demonstrates that you can achieve anything if you work hard.""

In February 2022, Coleman, who has a finance background, was appointed team president of the Panthers, having previously served as vice president and chief financial officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which is owned by hedge fund founder David Tepper.

In July 2022, Mark Davis, the owner of the Raiders, appointed Sandra Douglass Morgan as the team's president, with over two decades of experience in gaming, law, and corporate management.

Douglass Morgan said the moment is not lost on her.

Douglass Morgan stated that while they are excited about these new groundbreaking moments, they are also performing their duties as every other president in the league, ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day business operations.

In recent years, the NFL has intensified its efforts to enhance gender diversity within its organization.

The NFL League Office had a record-breaking 42.5% female employees last year, marking a substantial improvement from a decade ago when only 29.3% of women held these positions, as reported by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida.

The league says it has 243 women in front office positions.

On the field, the numbers are also growing.

The NFL has set a new record for any male professional sports league with 22 women currently holding full-time coaching positions, which represents an increase of 187% over the past five years.

The NFL has been hosting an annual Women's Forum since 2017, which has resulted in more than 400 women participating in the program and over 250 opportunities for women in football emerging.

For years, Douglass Morgan has observed an increase in women's interest in the NFL and believes that having a more diverse workforce is crucial to engaging with these new fans.

She suggested that our employee base should be as diverse as our fan base.

The league sees flag football as a potential growth opportunity for the sport, and Coleman and Douglass Morgan believe it can also serve as a pathway for women to become involved in the game.

Over 700,000 individuals participate in the NFL's flag football program, which offers a route for women to compete in college.

Both Douglass Morgan and Coleman claim that their teams' owners have made them feel welcome in the league by going above and beyond.

Douglass Morgan stated on CNBC that Mark Davis has consistently maintained that Sandra's race is irrelevant, as he hired her for her skills and qualifications. He believes she is the best person to lead the Raiders.

Executives advise women seeking to enter male-dominated sports leagues to be confident in their ability to learn and not be afraid to take risks on themselves.

Coleman stated that one must perform their job to the best of their ability in order to be perceived as capable for future job opportunities. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of being kind and having self-belief.

"Be cautious about showing your emotions, as you and your colleague are in the minority and may face more scrutiny. Surround yourself with a strong support system to help you overcome any challenges that come your way."