Las Vegas Raiders

Lore & Background

Founded on January 30, 1960, and originally based in Oakland, California, the Oakland Raiders played their first regular season game on September 11, 1960, as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). They moved to the NFL with the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. The team was almost chosen under the nickname 'Señors' when established, as close to the team sporting the 'Oakland Señors' team name is the original idea of the orange and black team theme colors, that were discontinued as well. The team departed Oakland to play in Los Angeles from the 1982 season through the 1994 season (as the Los Angeles Raiders) before returning to Oakland at the start of the 1995 season. On March 27, 2017, NFL team owners voted nearly unanimously to approve the Raiders' application to move to the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They played their last game as a California–based franchise on December 29, 2019. On January 22, 2020, the Raiders relocated to the Las Vegas area.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Arrowhead Stadium is thick with humidity and the scent of popcorn, but beneath it lies a tension only a specific opponent can ignite. As the Raiders' silver and black helmets emerge from the tunnel, a collective roar erupts, not just from the crowd, but from the very soil of the stadium. The quarterback checks his watch; the clock is ticking down to kickoff, yet time seems to stand still in this moment of anticipation. A veteran linebacker from the home team stares across the line of scrimmage at his counterpart, a silent acknowledgment passing between them: they know exactly who stands on the other side, and they know that nothing less than total domination will suffice today.

Reader's Guide

The Raiders' on-field fortunes have varied considerably over the years. The team's first three years of operation were marred by poor performance, financial difficulties, and spotty attendance. In 1963, the Raiders' fortunes improved dramatically with the introduction of head coach (and eventual owner and general manager) Al Davis. Since 1963, the team has won 15 division titles (3 AFL and 12 NFL), one AFL championship (1967), four AFC championships (1976, 1980, 1983, and 2002), and three Super Bowl championships: XI (1976), XV (1980), and XVIII (1983). As of the end of the NFL's 2024 season, the Raiders have an all-time regular season record of 509 wins, 480 losses, and 11 ties; their all-time playoff record currently stands at 25 wins and 20 losses.

Did You Know?

• The Raiders were originally named the Oakland Señors for nine days in April 1960 before changing to the Raiders.
• Al Davis changed the team colors to silver and black in 1963.
• The Raiders have won three Super Bowl championships: XI, XV, and XVIII.
• In December 2024, the Raiders sold a 15% ownership stake, including 10% to Tom Brady and his business partner Tom Wagner.