Raiders Reportedly Launch Internal Investigation After Departures of 4 Executives

Featured Columnist IVAugust 11, 2021

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Las Vegas Raiders logos are shown on a wall before a game between the Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 30-27 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly launched an internal investigation after four executives departed the organization this summer, according to A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports.

Team president Marc Badain, CFO Ed Villanueva, controller Araxie Grant and vice president of strategy and business development Brandon Doll have all departed since June.

NFL writer Jason Cole reported last week that the Raiders were bringing in an outside law firm to investigate the departures:

Jason Cole @JasonCole62
According to 3 sources, the Raiders have hired or are in the process of hiring an outside law firm to deal with whatever issue is at the center of at least four top executives being dismissed/leaving the team.

Peter King of Pro Football Talk broke down the departure of Badain earlier in August, noting that nobody knew why he left but calling it a "big deal" for the Raiders:

"I heard lots of theories about why he left—that he didn't approve of some of the spending by owner Mark Davis in the midst of a disastrous first financial season in Las Vegas (including Davis' decision to buy the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces), that he was just tired of the nonstop pace of running a franchise in a new city, that he and Davis were having significant disagreements on the direction of the franchise at a time when money was tight."

He added that "the likelihood that the Raiders lost out on at least $100 million in 2020 revenue in a fan-less season could well have something to do with the Badain’s departure."

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Raiders’ President Marc Badain, instrumental in the team’s move to Las Vegas and a key member of the organization for 30 years, resigned today. <a href="https://t.co/c9fvOcCn4y">pic.twitter.com/c9fvOcCn4y</a>

Badain told ESPN's Mark Gutierrez he was "forever grateful" to Raiders owner Marc Davis for his "unwavering support and friendship" after leaving the team in July.

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"The successful construction and operation of Allegiant Stadium has been unequivocally the most challenging part of my 30 years with the organization," he added. "Seeing it through to the end has been rewarding beyond measure. Together the Raiders and Las Vegas accomplished what seemed impossible."

Dan Ventrelle, the team's executive vice president and general counsel, is currently also handling the team president duties.

It's hard to imagine that four prominent executives would coincidentally depart in such a short period of time. Whatever the reason, the Raiders are reportedly taking steps to get to the bottom of it.