Silver and Black

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. 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 508 wins, 481 losses, and 11 ties; their all-time playoff record currently stands at 25 wins and 20 losses. Al Davis owned the team from 1972 until his death in 2011. Control of the franchise was then given to Al's son Mark Davis, with Al's wife Carol maintaining ownership. The Raiders are known for their extensive fan base and distinctive team culture. The Raiders have had 17 former players who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as two former coaches and Al Davis. They have previously played at Kezar Stadium and Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Frank Youell Field and the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. In December 2024, the Raiders were among the first teams in NFL history to sell an o

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed with a low electric buzz, casting long shadows across the turf that shimmered under the floodlights. A lone fan stood near the end zone, draped in a vintage jersey where the silver had faded to a soft grey and the black was worn thin at the elbows. He watched as the team emerged from the tunnel, a sea of silver helmets glinting like polished steel against the dark night sky. The roar of the crowd wasn't just noise; it was a chant that vibrated through the concrete, a collective heartbeat syncing with the rhythm of the drums. In this moment, the colors were more than paint on fabric; they were a promise kept across fifty years.

Reader's Guide

The Raiders' original team colors were black, gold and white. In 1963, Al Davis changed the team colors to silver and black. The team emblem of a pirate (or 'raider') wearing a football helmet was created, reportedly a rendition of actor Randolph Scott. The source article does not specify who designed the logo. The Raiders have won three Super Bowl championships: XI (1976), XV (1980), and XVIII (1983).

Did You Know?

• The team was almost named the Oakland Señors in 1960, but changed it nine days later to the Oakland Raiders.
• Al Davis changed the team colors to silver and black in 1963.
• The Raiders' first home games were played at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in 1960.
• The team's all-time regular season record as of the end of the 2024 season is 508 wins, 481 losses, and 11 ties.

Franchise Origins and Early Struggles

Established on January 30, 1960, as an eighth charter member of the American Football League, the franchise initially faced a tumultuous beginning in Oakland. A local naming contest originally selected "Señors," but public ridicule forced a rapid rebranding to the Raiders just nine days later. The team's early years were defined by financial instability and poor on-field results; their inaugural season ended with a 6–8 record and a half-million-dollar loss, necessitating an emergency loan from Buffalo Bills founder Ralph Wilson. Home field logistics were equally chaotic, as the University of California denied access to Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Consequently, the team played at Kezar Stadium before moving to Candlestick Park for only three games in their first year. By 1962, they occupied Frank Youell Field while awaiting a permanent stadium, enduring a historic 19-game losing streak that highlighted the franchise's precarious existence before any major turnaround occurred.

The Al Davis Era and Championship Success

The trajectory of the franchise shifted dramatically in 1963 with the hiring of Al Davis as head coach and general manager. At just 33 years old, Davis became the youngest person in decades to hold such a position, steering the team away from its initial failures toward sustained excellence. Under his leadership, which eventually extended to full ownership from 1972 until his death in 2011, the Raiders captured three Super Bowl titles in XI, XV, and XVIII, alongside one AFL championship in 1967. The organization secured a total of 15 division titles across both leagues and four AFC championships during this golden period. Davis's influence was so profound that he became the first coach enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his role with the team, cementing a legacy where the franchise transformed from a struggling startup into one of the NFL's most decorated dynasties.

Geographic Relocations and Stadium History

Throughout its history, the Raiders have been defined by significant geographic movements across California before settling in Nevada. Originally based in Oakland, the team played at various venues including Kezar Stadium, Frank Youell Field, and the Oakland Coliseum. In 1982, they relocated to Los Angeles, competing as the Los Angeles Raiders until returning to Oakland in 1995. A major shift occurred on March 27, 2017, when NFL owners approved a move to Las Vegas. The franchise played its final game in California on December 29, 2019, and officially relocated to the Las Vegas metropolitan area on January 22, 2020. Today, they play home games at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, with their headquarters situated in Henderson, marking a new chapter for a team that has never remained static in its location.

Modern Ownership and Cultural Legacy

The Raiders maintain a distinctive identity characterized by an extensive fan base and a deep roster of Hall of Fame inductees, including 17 former players and two coaches. Following Al Davis's passing in 2011, control passed to his son Mark Davis, with his widow Carol retaining ownership interests. In a historic move for the league during December 2024, the franchise became one of the first NFL teams to sell an equity stake to outside private investors. This transaction involved selling 15% of the team, granting Tom Brady and his business partner Tom Wagner of Knighthead Capital a combined 10% ownership share. Despite these modern financial evolutions, the team continues to uphold its unique culture while navigating the complexities of professional sports in the Las Vegas market.