Marc Badain resigns as Raiders president

Raiders President Marc Badain abruptly resigned, the team announced Monday afternoon.

Executive vice president and general counsel Dan Ventrelle will assume the role on an interim basis, but owner Mark Davis said late Monday the organization intends to conduct a thorough search for Badain’s full-time successor.

Badain told the Review-Journal that after leading the lengthy effort to get the team’s state-of-the-art venue approved, built and opened in Las Vegas, it was the right time to move on.

“Now that the project is complete it is time for me to focus on my family and look ahead to new pursuits,” Badain said. “I am forever grateful to (Mark Davis) for his unwavering support and friendship.”

The nature of those new pursuits is still unclear, as are the specific reasons for his departure and whether those are related.

Badain was instrumental in the team’s move to Las Vegas and the construction of Allegiant Stadium.

Allegiant Stadium and the process of NFL football in Las Vegas becoming a reality are lasting symbols Badain leaves behind with the organization after three decades.

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

Badain started with the team as a training camp intern in 1991 and worked his way up to president starting in 2015.

“I am forever grateful to (Davis) for his unwavering support and friendship,” Badain said. “I wish him and the Raider family the best. I will always feel a part of the team because everyone knows. … Once A Raider Always A Raider.”

In a phone call with the Review-Journal, Davis added the decision was solely made by Badain. He said Badain will remain a friend for life.

“It’s not up to me to talk about another’s resignation,” Davis said. “That’s not fair. It was his decision. It was not something I wanted. It ends (in friendship), absolutely. No question. I’m so grateful for everything he has done for us.”

In a statement, Davis thanked Badain for his three decades with the organization.

“Today, I have accepted Marc Badain’s resignation as president of the Las Vegas Raiders,” Davis said.“Marc has been an integral part of the Raider family for 30 years. Rising from a training camp driver to president of the entire organization. His efforts in helping to build the most magnificent stadium in the sports and entertainment capital of the world will never be forgotten. I wish Marc, his wife Amy, daughter Ali and sons Bernie and Zach all the best in whatever the future holds.”

Steve Hill, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO and chairman of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, has worked closely with Badain over the past several years during the relocation and stadium processes.

“In a relatively short period of time, Marc led the effort to build Allegiant Stadium, move the Raiders to Vegas, and position both the team and the stadium for success,” Hill said. “His efforts have made a real difference for our city.”

Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, whose district includes Allegiant Stadium, also noted Badain’s influence on Southern Nevada. The two were part of meetings last week aimed at addressing event day operation issues at the stadium observed during the first two events this month with large crowds.

“Marc has been a tremendous community partner from the moment the Las Vegas Raiders were just a glimmer in his eye,” Naft said. “He made the vision of bringing the NFL and the world’s premier stadium to Clark County a reality, to the benefit of thousands of employees and countless fans. And he has befriended everyone he has come across in the process. Whether we were in agreement or opposition on any particular issue, he has always been honest, upfront and gracious.”

Ventrelle has been with the organization for 17 years. While he takes over Badain’s job on an interim basis, Davis didn’t rule him out as a candidate for the job.

“Dan will have an opportunity to take his 17 years of experience negotiating contracts on the football side of things and doing all our legal matters on the business side,” Davis told the Review-Journal. “He has a vast knowledge of the organization. He’s smart. We will see if he has the skills to lead.

”At the same time, we will undergo a (national) search to see if there might be someone out there born to be the Raiders president. You never know. But we are moving forward.”

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter. Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.