Las Vegas Raiders

Lore & Background

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). Al Davis owned the team from 1972 until his death in 2011. Control of the franchise was then transferred to Al's estate, with Mark Davis becoming the controlling owner. The Raiders are known for their extensive fan base and distinctive team culture. The Raiders have had more than 17 former players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as of 2024, along with two former coaches and Al Davis. In October 2024, the Raiders were among the first teams in NFL history to sell an ownership stake to outside private equity investors. 10% of the franchise was sold, which includes Tom Brady and his business partner, Tom Wagner of Knighthead Capital, gaining a 10% ownership stake.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Allegiant Stadium hums with a low-frequency vibration before kickoff, a sound born of thousands of fans in black and silver. The stadium lights cut through the Nevada night, illuminating the gridiron where the legacy of Al Davis is etched into the turf. A veteran linebacker adjusts his helmet, feeling the weight of history as he steps onto the field. He isn't just playing for a paycheck; he's stepping into a lineage that includes Fred Biletnikoff and Marcus Allen. The crowd roars, not with polite applause, but with a primal demand for dominance. In this moment, the Raiders are more than a team; they are a movement.

Reader's Guide

The Raiders 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. The team's original colors were black, gold and white before Al Davis changed them to silver and black in 1963. The team emblem of a pirate (or 'raider') wearing a football helmet was created, reportedly a rendition of actor Randolph Scott. Under head coach John Madden, the Raiders became one of the most successful franchises in the NFL. The team's all-time regular season record as of the end of the 2024 season is 509 wins, 480 losses, and 11 ties; their all-time playoff record is 25 wins and 20 losses.

Did You Know?

• The team was almost named the Oakland Señors before changing to the Raiders nine days later.
• Al Davis changed the team colors to silver and black in 1963.
• The Raiders won three Super Bowl championships: XI (1976), XV (1980), and XVIII (1983).
• Tom Brady and his business partner Tom Wagner gained a 10% ownership stake in the Raiders in October 2024.