Las Vegas Raiders facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Las Vegas Raiders
Current season
Logo Wordmark Uniforms
Basic info
Established	January 30, 1960; 65 years ago (1960-01-30)
Colors	Silver, black
Fight song	"The Autumn Wind"
Mascot	Raider Rusher
Personnel
Owner(s)	Mark & Carol Davis
President	Sandra Douglass Morgan
General manager	Tom Telesco
Head coach	Antonio Pierce
Nicknames
Silver and Black Men in Black Team of the Decades The World's Team Malosos ("Bad Boys"; Mexican fan base)
Team history
Oakland Raiders (1960–1981, 1995–2019) Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1994) Las Vegas Raiders (2020–present)
Home fields
Kezar Stadium (1960) Candlestick Park (1961) Frank Youell Field (1962–1965) Oakland Coliseum (1966–1981, 1995) Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1982) Allegiant Stadium (2020–present)
League / conference affiliations
American Football League (1960–1969) Western Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC West (1970–present)
Championships
League championships: 3† AFL championships (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (1) 1967 Super Bowl championships: 3 1976 (XI), 1980 (XV), 1983 (XVIII) † – Does not include 1967 AFL championship won during the same season that the Super Bowl was contested
Conference championships: 4 AFC: 1976, 1980, 1983, 2002
Division championships: 15 AFL West: 1967, 1968, 1969 AFC West: 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1985, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2002
Playoff appearances (23)
AFL: 1967, 1968, 1969 NFL: 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2016, 2021
Owner(s)
Chet Soda (1960) F. Wayne Valley (1960–1971) Al Davis (1972–2011) Mark & Carol Davis (2011–present)

The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team. They are based in the Las Vegas area of Nevada. The Raiders play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Their home games are played at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The team's main office is in Henderson, Nevada.

The team started on January 30, 1960, in Oakland, California. They played their first game on September 11, 1960. The Raiders were a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). In 1970, they joined the NFL when the AFL and NFL merged. The team almost had the nickname "Señors" at first. They also considered orange and black as team colors, but these ideas were changed.

The Raiders moved to Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994. Then, they returned to Oakland in 1995. On March 27, 2017, NFL team owners voted to let the Raiders move to Las Vegas. This move happened almost three years later, on January 22, 2020.

The Raiders have had many ups and downs over the years. Their first few years (1960–1962) were tough. Things got much better in 1963 when Al Davis became head coach. In 1967, the Raiders reached the playoffs for the first time. They won their only AFL Championship that year. This led them to Super Bowl II, where they lost to the Green Bay Packers.

Since 1963, the Raiders have won 15 division titles. They also won 4 AFC Championships and 3 Super Bowl Championships. These Super Bowl wins were in 1976, 1980, and 1983. As of the end of the 2023 season, the Raiders have won 505 regular season games. They have also won 25 playoff games.

Al Davis owned the team from 1972 until he passed away in 2011. His son, Mark Davis, and wife, Carol Davis, now own the team. The Raiders are known for their many fans and unique team spirit. Many former Raiders players and coaches are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Team History

Early Years in Oakland (1960–1981)

The Oakland Raiders were first going to be called the "Oakland Señors." But people made fun of the name, so it was changed to the Raiders before the 1960 season. Eddie Erdelatz was the first head coach. The team was the last of eight teams to pick players in the new American Football League. This meant they got the players who were left.

The 1960 Raiders team had many new players. Future Hall of Famer Jim Otto and future Raiders coach Tom Flores were among them. In their first year, the Raiders finished with 6 wins and 8 losses.

After a tough start to the 1961 season, Erdelatz was fired. Marty Feldman took over, but the team finished with only 2 wins. Feldman was also fired in 1962 after an 0–5 start. Red Conkright coached the rest of that season, which ended with only 1 win.

In 1963, F. Wayne Valley hired Al Davis as head coach and general manager. Davis was only 33, the youngest in pro football. He brought in an aggressive offense. The Raiders improved to 10 wins and 4 losses. Davis was named the AFL's Coach of the Year. The team's famous silver and black uniforms also started in 1963.

In 1966, Davis left to become the AFL Commissioner. But he returned as part-owner and head of football operations after the AFL and NFL announced their merger.

AFL Champions (1967)

The team kept getting better under coach John Rauch. Led by quarterback Daryle Lamonica, the Raiders finished with an amazing 13 wins and 1 loss. They won the AFL Championship by beating the Houston Oilers 40–7. This win sent them to Super Bowl II. However, on January 14, 1968, the Raiders lost to Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers 33–14.

In 1968, the Raiders won their division again with 12 wins and 2 losses. But they lost the AFL Championship Game to the New York Jets. Rauch resigned in 1969.

John Madden became the Raiders' head coach in 1969. Under Madden, the Raiders won their division for the third year in a row. They had 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie. They beat the Oilers in the playoffs. But they lost the AFL Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 1970, the AFL and NFL officially merged. The Raiders joined the AFC West division. They won their division with 8 wins, 4 losses, and 2 ties. They reached the AFC Championship but lost to the Baltimore Colts.

The Raiders teams of the 1970s were very strong. They had many Hall of Fame players and coach John Madden. They were known for their tough, hard-hitting defense. Players like Jack Tatum and George Atkinson made big plays. The Raiders often finished first in their division and made the playoffs. From 1973 to 1977, they reached the conference championship every year.

This was also a time of a big rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers. These two teams were often the best in the AFC. They met five times in the playoffs. The winner of their playoff game went on to win the Super Bowl three times.

In 1972, the Raiders had 10 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie. They lost to the Steelers in the playoffs on a famous play called the "Immaculate Reception." In 1973, the Raiders beat the Steelers in the playoffs. But they lost to the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship.

In 1974, the Raiders had 12 wins and 2 losses. They beat the Dolphins in a game known as the "Sea of Hands." But they lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship again. In 1975, they lost to the Steelers in the conference championship once more.

Super Bowl XI Champions (1976)

In 1976, the Raiders beat the Steelers in the first game of the season. They won 13 regular-season games. They had a close win over the New England Patriots in the playoffs. Then, they beat the Steelers 24–7 in the AFC Championship. This sent them to their second Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl XI, the Raiders played the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings had lost three Super Bowls before. The Raiders took an early lead and won 32–14. This was their first Super Bowl championship!

In 1977, the Raiders finished with 11 wins and 3 losses. They won a long overtime game against the Colts. But they lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.

After 10 winning seasons, John Madden left coaching in 1979. Former Raiders quarterback Tom Flores became the new head coach. He was the first Hispanic head coach in NFL history.

Super Bowl XV Champions (1980)

In 1980, the Raiders were trying to move to Los Angeles. Despite this, Flores led the Raiders to 11 wins and 5 losses. They earned a wild card spot in the playoffs. Quarterback Jim Plunkett played very well after the starting quarterback was injured.

The Raiders beat the Oilers and the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs. Then, they beat the San Diego Chargers to reach their third Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XV, the Raiders faced the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders won 27–10, becoming the first team to win the Super Bowl as a wild card team.

Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1994)

In 1980, Al Davis wanted to improve the Oakland stadium. When this didn't happen, he tried to move the team to Los Angeles. The NFL owners voted against the move. Davis then sued the NFL. In 1982, a court ruled in favor of Davis. This allowed the Raiders to move to Los Angeles for the 1982 season. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Los Angeles Raiders finished the strike-shortened 1982 season with 8 wins and 1 loss. But they lost in the second round of the playoffs.

Super Bowl XVIII Champions (1983)

The next season, the Raiders finished with 12 wins and 4 losses. They won their division. They had strong playoff wins against the Steelers and Seattle Seahawks. This sent them to their fourth Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl XVIII, the Raiders played the Washington Redskins. The Raiders built a big lead early. Running back Marcus Allen had an amazing 74-yard touchdown run. The Raiders won 38–9, earning their third NFL championship. Allen set a Super Bowl record for most rushing yards with 191.

In 1984, the team had 11 wins and 5 losses. But they lost in the Wild Card game. The 1985 Raiders won 12 games and their division. Marcus Allen was named the NFL's MVP. However, they lost in the playoffs.

After 1985, the Raiders' performance went down. From 1986 to 1989, they had losing seasons. Al Davis also had a public disagreement with Marcus Allen. Davis signed Bo Jackson, who also played Major League Baseball. Jackson couldn't play full-time until baseball season ended.

In 1989, coach Mike Shanahan was fired. Former Raiders player Art Shell became the head coach. He was the first African American head coach in the modern NFL. The team finished 8–8.

In 1990, Shell led the Raiders to 12 wins and 4 losses. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs. But Bo Jackson got a severe hip injury in that game. Without him, the Raiders lost badly to the Buffalo Bills 51–3 in the AFC Championship. Jackson had to stop playing football because of his injury.

The Raiders struggled to find a good quarterback in the early 1990s. They missed the playoffs in 1991 and 1992. In 1993, with Jeff Hostetler as quarterback, they had 10 wins and 6 losses. They beat the Broncos in the Wild Card game. But they lost to the Bills again in the next round. After missing the playoffs in 1994, Art Shell was fired.

Second Oakland Era (1995–2019)

Al Davis wanted a new stadium for the Raiders. He considered many places, including Sacramento. In 1995, Davis signed a deal to bring the Raiders back to Oakland. The NFL approved the move. Oakland spent $220 million to improve the stadium. This included adding 10,000 seats.

The return to Oakland was exciting. Under new coach Mike White, the 1995 season started well. They had 8 wins and 2 losses. But injuries to quarterback Jeff Hostetler led to a losing streak. They finished 8–8 and missed the playoffs.

After two more losing seasons, Davis hired Jon Gruden as head coach in 1998. Under Gruden, the Raiders had two 8–8 seasons.

The 2000 season was very successful. They finished 12–4. Quarterback Rich Gannon was named MVP. Oakland won their first division title since 1990. They reached the AFC Championship but lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

In 2001, the Raiders got star receiver Jerry Rice. They started 10–3 but lost their last three games. They finished 10–6 and made the playoffs as a wild card. They beat the New York Jets. Then, they faced the New England Patriots in a snowy game. This game became famous as the "Tuck Rule Game." A controversial call went against the Raiders. The Patriots won in overtime and later won the Super Bowl.

In 2002, the Raiders let Jon Gruden go to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In return, the Raiders received money and draft picks. Bill Callahan, the team's offensive coordinator, became head coach.

Under Callahan, the Raiders finished 11–5. They won their division for the third year in a row. Rich Gannon was named NFL MVP. The Raiders beat the Jets and Titans in the playoffs. They reached their fifth Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXXVII. Their opponent was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coached by Gruden. The Buccaneers knew the Raiders' plays well. The Raiders lost badly, 48–21.

Callahan's second season in 2003 was not good. Oakland finished 4–12. Callahan was fired and Norv Turner became head coach. The team continued to struggle, finishing 5–11 in 2004. Rich Gannon's career ended due to a neck injury.

In 2005, the Raiders added star receiver Randy Moss. But they still finished 4–12. Turner was fired. In 2006, Art Shell returned as head coach. The Raiders had their worst record since 1962, finishing 2–14. Shell was fired again.

In 2007, Lane Kiffin became the youngest coach in the NFL at 31. The Raiders picked quarterback JaMarcus Russell first in the draft. Russell turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments in NFL history. Kiffin was fired in 2008. Tom Cable became the interim coach. The team finished 5–11 in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, they won all their division games but still missed the playoffs. Cable's contract was not renewed.

In 2011, Hue Jackson became head coach. After Al Davis passed away, his son Mark and wife Carol took over. They hired Reggie McKenzie as the team's first general manager since Al Davis. The Raiders finished 8–8 in 2011 and missed the playoffs.

In 2012, Dennis Allen became head coach. The team finished 4–12. In 2013, the Raiders made many changes to their roster. They signed Charles Woodson again. They finished 4–12.

In the 2014 NFL draft, the Raiders picked Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr. Carr became the starting quarterback. After an 0–4 start, Allen was fired. Tony Sparano became interim head coach. The Raiders finished 3–13.

Jack Del Rio became the new head coach in 2015. The Raiders improved to 7–9. Derek Carr continued to get better. Mack, Carr, and other players were chosen for the Pro Bowl. Khalil Mack was the first player ever to be named All-Pro at two positions in the same year.

In 2016, the Raiders had their first winning season since 2002. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. They had seven Pro Bowl selections, the most for any team that season. However, they lost in the Wild Card round to the Houston Texans. This was because their starting quarterback Carr was injured.

On January 19, 2017, the Raiders filed paperwork to move to Las Vegas. The NFL approved the move on March 27, 2017. Only one team voted against it. The team said they would still be the Oakland Raiders for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Before the 2017 season, Derek Carr signed a huge contract. The Raiders hoped for a great season. But their defense struggled. They finished a disappointing 6–10. Del Rio was fired.

Return of Jon Gruden and Final Years in Oakland (2018–2019)

On January 6, 2018, Jon Gruden returned as head coach. He signed a 10-year contract. The team traded away star players like Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper. The Raiders finished 4–12 in 2018. In 2019, their last season in Oakland, they improved to 7–9.

Las Vegas Raiders (2020–present)

On January 22, 2020, the Raiders officially moved to Las Vegas. They played the 2020 season without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They started 6–3 but finished 8–8 and missed the playoffs.

On October 11, 2021, Gruden resigned. Rich Bisaccia became the interim head coach. The Raiders finished 10–7 and made the playoffs. But they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round.

In 2022, Dave Ziegler became general manager and Josh McDaniels became head coach. The Raiders finished 6–11. After the season, they released Derek Carr.

In 2023, the Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo. On October 31, 2023, McDaniels and Ziegler were fired. Antonio Pierce became interim head coach. On December 14, 2023, the team scored a franchise record 63 points against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders finished 8–9. Antonio Pierce was named the permanent head coach in January 2024.

Championships

AFL Championships

The Raiders finished the 1967 season with 13 wins and 1 loss. They won the 1967 AFL Championship. They later lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.

Season	Coach	Location	Opponent	Score
1967	John Rauch	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland)	Houston Oilers	40–7
Total AFL Championships won: 1

Super Bowl Championships

The Raiders have won three Super Bowl championships. They won their first with head coach John Madden. They won their next two with Tom Flores.

Season	Coach	Super Bowl	Location	Opponent	Score
1976	John Madden	Rose Bowl (Pasadena)	Minnesota Vikings	32–14
1980	Tom Flores	Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans)	Philadelphia Eagles	27–10
1983		Tampa Stadium (Tampa)	Washington Redskins	38–9
Total Super Bowls won: 3

AFC Championships

Season	Coach	Location	Opponent	Score
1976	John Madden	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland)	Pittsburgh Steelers	24–7
1980	Tom Flores	Jack Murphy Stadium (San Diego)	San Diego Chargers	34–27
1983		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles)	Seattle Seahawks	30–14
2002	Bill Callahan	Network Associates Coliseum (Oakland)	Tennessee Titans	41–24
Total AFC Championships won: 4

Division Championships

Year	Coach	Record
1967	John Rauch	13–1
1968	12–2
1969	John Madden	12–1–1
1970	8–4–2
1972	10–3–1
1973	9–4–1
1974	12–2
1975	11–3
1976	13–1
1983	Tom Flores	12–4
1985	12–4
1990	Art Shell	10–6
2000	Jon Gruden	12–4
2001	10–6
2002	Bill Callahan	11–5
Total Division Championships won: 15

Logos and Uniforms

When the team started in 1960, a contest was held to name them. The winning name was the Oakland Señors. But people made fun of it. So, nine days later, the team changed its name to the Oakland Raiders. This name had finished third in the contest.

The first Raiders logo was a pirate wearing a football helmet. He had an eye patch. This was on a gold football background with two crossed swords. The original uniforms were black and gold. The helmets were black with a white stripe and no logo.

In 1963, Al Davis changed the team's colors to silver and black. He added a logo to the helmet. This logo is a shield with the word "RAIDERS" at the top. It has two crossed swords and a pirate's head with an eye patch. This logo has stayed mostly the same over the years.

The Raiders' silver and black uniforms have been mostly the same since 1963. They have silver helmets and silver pants. The jerseys are either black or white. Black jerseys have silver names and numbers. White jerseys have black names and numbers with silver outlines.

The Raiders wore their white jerseys at home for the first time in 2008. This was because of the heat. For the 2009 season, the Raiders wore old-style jerseys. This was part of a program for teams from the old AFL.

No major changes were made to the uniforms or logos when the team moved to Las Vegas. Only the city name on some logos changed from "OAKLAND" to "LAS VEGAS."

Home Fields

The Raiders played their first home season in two different stadiums. These were Kezar Stadium and Candlestick Park. In 1961, they played only at Candlestick Park. In 1962, they moved to Frank Youell Field in Oakland. This was a temporary home while the Oakland Coliseum was being built.

The Oakland Coliseum was finished in 1966. The Raiders shared it with the Oakland Athletics baseball team. They played there until 1981. Then, they moved to Los Angeles.

During their time in Los Angeles, the Raiders played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This stadium had 93,000 seats.

After 2011, the Raiders looked for a new stadium. The Oakland Coliseum was old. Also, the Raiders shared it with the Athletics. In 2020, the team moved to the Las Vegas area. They now play in Allegiant Stadium. This stadium has 65,000 seats. The Raiders share it with the UNLV Rebels football team.

Team Culture

Slogans

Al Davis created famous slogans for the team. These include "Pride and Poise," "Commitment to Excellence," and "Just Win, Baby." These are all registered trademarks of the team.

Raider Nation

The nickname Raider Nation refers to the team's many fans. These fans are all over the United States and the world. Fans who go to home games are known for arriving early. They have tailgate parties. They also dress up in face masks and black outfits. The "Black Hole" was a special section at the Oakland Coliseum. It was known for the team's most excited fans.

Al Davis created the phrase Raider Nation in 1968. In 2009, rapper Ice Cube recorded a song for the Raiders called "Raider Nation."

Cheerleaders

The Las Vegas Raiderettes are the cheerleading squad for the Las Vegas Raiders. They started in 1961 as the Oakland Raiderettes. When the team was in Los Angeles, they were the Los Angeles Raiderettes. They are known as "Football's Fabulous Females."

Radio and Television

Raiders games are broadcast on many radio stations. These stations are across the western United States. KOMP 92.3 FM and KRLV 920AM are the main stations in Las Vegas. Games are also broadcast in Spanish.

Bill King was the voice of the Raiders from 1966 to 1992. He called about 600 games. His radio calls are heard in many NFL Films highlights of the Raiders.

Rivalries

Divisional Rivals

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are one of the Raiders' oldest rivals. This rivalry goes back to the early days of the AFL. The Raiders lost the 1969 AFL Championship to Kansas City. The Chiefs then won the Super Bowl.

From 1990 to 1999, the Raiders lost 17 of 20 games against the Chiefs. This included a 10-game losing streak in Kansas City. On October 19, 2017, the Raiders beat the Chiefs 31–30. This ended a five-game losing streak against them. In 2020, the Raiders beat the Chiefs 40–32. This was their first win in Kansas City since 2012. On Christmas Day 2023, the Raiders beat the Chiefs again.

The Chiefs lead the overall series with 71 wins, 54 losses, and 2 ties. They are the only team in the AFC West that the Raiders have a losing record against.

Denver Broncos

The Raiders' rivalry with the Broncos is one of the most intense in NFL history. The Raiders had a 14-game winning streak against the Broncos from 1965 to 1971. From 1995 to 2008, the Broncos won 21 of 28 games. This was when Mike Shanahan coached the Broncos. Shanahan used to coach the Raiders, which made the rivalry even stronger.

On December 13, 2015, the Raiders upset the Broncos 15–12. Their defense played very well. Linebacker Khalil Mack had five sacks in that game. The Broncos reached their first Super Bowl by beating the Raiders 20–17 in the AFC Championship Game. The two teams have played on Monday Night Football 19 times. This is the most frequent Monday Night matchup in NFL history.

The Raiders lead the all-time series with 72 wins, 53 losses, and 2 ties.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers' rivalry with Oakland began in 1963. The Raiders beat the Chargers twice that year. Both wins came from behind in the fourth quarter. The Raiders had a long streak without losing to the Chargers. This was a 16–0–2 record from 1968 to 1977.

One famous game was the "Holy Roller" game in 1978. The Raiders scored a touchdown on a very controversial fumbled play. In January 1981, the Raiders beat the Chargers 34–27 in the AFC Championship. The Raiders then went on to win Super Bowl XV.

On October 10, 2010, the Raiders ended a 13-game losing streak against the Chargers. The Raiders lead the overall series with 67 wins, 57 losses, and 2 ties.

Historic Rivalries

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers' rivalry with the Raiders has been very close. The Raiders lead the regular-season series 13 wins to 10. Their playoff rivalry is tied 3–3. This rivalry was very intense in the 1970s. Many people called it one of the most brutal in football history. From 1972 to 1976, the teams met in the playoffs five times in a row. This included three AFC Championship games.

The rivalry started with the "Immaculate Reception" play in 1972. The Steelers beat the Raiders on a controversial last-second play. In the 1975 AFC Championship, Raiders safety George Atkinson hit Steelers receiver Lynn Swann. Swann got a concussion. In 1976, Atkinson hit Swann again. Steelers coach Chuck Noll called Atkinson part of the "criminal element." Atkinson sued Noll but lost.

The Raiders upset the Steelers in 2009. The game lead changed five times in the fourth quarter. In 2018, the Raiders upset the Steelers again. This game helped the Steelers miss the playoffs that year. As of 2023, the Raiders lead the all-time series 17–15.

New England Patriots

The rivalry between the Raiders and New England Patriots started in the AFL. It became more intense in 1978. Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley was paralyzed after a hit from Raiders safety Jack Tatum. New England also lost a playoff game to the Raiders in 1976. This game is known for a controversial penalty.

The two teams met in a playoff game in 2002. This game became known as the "Tuck Rule Game." A play by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was first called a fumble. But it was changed to an incomplete pass. The Patriots won in overtime and later won the Super Bowl. Since then, the Patriots have won most regular-season games. The Raiders finally beat New England again in 2022. This was after they moved to Las Vegas. The Raiders won 30–24 on a wild play at the end of the game. They won again in 2023, 21–17. As of 2023, the Patriots lead the all-time series 20–17–1.

Ownership and Management

Founding the Team

The city of Oakland was given the eighth AFL team on January 30, 1960. At first, Oakland seemed like an unlikely place for a pro football team. The city hadn't asked for a team. There was no ownership group. There was no stadium in Oakland for pro football. Also, the San Francisco 49ers were already a successful NFL team nearby.

The AFL owners chose Oakland because the Los Angeles Chargers owner threatened to quit. He wanted another team on the West Coast. Oakland business leaders found people to invest in the new team. A group was formed to own the team. It was led by Chet Soda.

The Raiders lost money in their first season. F. Wayne Valley helped keep the team going with a loan. In 1961, Valley, Ed McGah, and Robert Osborne bought out the other owners. Valley became the main owner.

In 1962, Valley hired Al Davis as head coach and general manager. In 1966, Davis left to be the AFL Commissioner. But he returned as part-owner of the team. He bought 10% of the team for $18,000. He also got control over all football operations.

In 1972, Al Davis became the main owner. He gained full control over the Raiders' operations. Valley was very angry but lost a lawsuit to stop it. In 1976, Valley sold his share of the team. Even though Davis only owned 25% at first, he had full control.

Current Ownership

Today, the team is owned by a group of nine partners. A. D. Football, Inc., Al Davis's company, is the main partner. The families of the original eight partners are also owners.

Al Davis had almost total control of the Raiders until he passed away in 2011. His wife, Carol, inherited his share. Their son, Mark, became the main operating head of the team. Mark mostly lets the football staff handle on-field decisions.

Financial Operations

In 2017, Forbes Magazine said the Raiders were worth about $2.38 billion. They were ranked 19th out of 32 NFL teams. This value went up after the team announced its move to Las Vegas.

From 2003 to 2005, the team had low attendance at games. Many home games were not sold out. This was partly because of expensive "personal seat licenses" (PSLs). These were tickets that fans had to buy to get season tickets. In 2005, the team stopped selling PSLs. They also lowered ticket prices. In 2006, they sold more season tickets.

Legal Battles

The Raiders and Al Davis have been in many lawsuits. They even sued the NFL. In 1980, the NFL didn't approve the Raiders' move to Los Angeles. The team sued the league. They won a settlement of $19.6 million in 1987. In 1986, Davis was the only NFL owner to support the United States Football League in their lawsuit against the NFL.

When the Raiders moved back to Oakland in 1995, the city sold PSLs to pay for stadium upgrades. But games often didn't sell out. The Raiders sued the city, saying they were misled. In 2005, they settled the lawsuit. Part of the deal was to get rid of PSLs.

Players of Note

Pro Football Hall of Fame Members

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has honored many players who played for the Raiders. It also includes coach-owner Al Davis, head coach John Madden, head coach Tom Flores, and executive Ron Wolf. In total, 30 people connected to the Raiders are in the Hall of Fame.

Oakland / Los Angeles / Las Vegas Raiders in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Players
No.	Name	Position(s)	Tenure	Inducted
77	Ron Mix	OT	1971	1979
00 50	Jim Otto	C	1960–1974	1980
16	George Blanda	QB/K	1967–1975	1981
24	Willie Brown	CB DB coach Director of Staff Development	1967–1978 1979–1988 1995–2019	1984
63	Gene Upshaw	G	1967–1981	1987
14 25	Fred Biletnikoff	WR WR coach	1965–1978 1989–2006	1988
78	Art Shell	OT OL coach Head coach	1968–1982 1983–1994 2006	1989
83	Ted Hendricks	LB	1975–1983	1990
22	Mike Haynes	CB	1983–1989	1997
29	Eric Dickerson	RB	1992	1999
75	Howie Long	DE	1981–1993	2000
42	Ronnie Lott	S	1991–1992	2000
87	Dave Casper	TE	1974–1980, 1984	2002
32	Marcus Allen	RB	1982–1992	2003
80	James Lofton	WR WR coach	1987–1988 2008	2003
76	Bob Brown	OT	1971–1973	2004
26	Rod Woodson	S CB coach Assistant DB coach	2002–2003 2011 2015–2017	2009
80	Jerry Rice	WR	2001–2004	2010
99	Warren Sapp	DT	2004–2007	2013
8	Ray Guy	P	1973–1986	2014
81	Tim Brown	WR	1988–2003	2015
12	Ken Stabler	QB	1970–1979	2016
18	Randy Moss	WR	2005–2006	2018
24	Charles Woodson	CB	1998–2005 2013–2015	2021
21	Cliff Branch	WR	1972–1985	2022
92	Richard Seymour	DE	2009–2012	2022
Coaches and Contributors
Name		Position(s)	Tenure	Inducted
Al Davis		Coach-Owner-Commissioner	1963–2011	1992
John Madden		Head Coach	1969–1978	2006
Ron Wolf		Scout Player Personnel Director	1963–1974 1979–1989	2015
Tom Flores		Head Coach	1979–1987	2021

Individual Awards

Career Leaders

• Passing yards: 35,222 Derek Carr (2014–2022)
• Pass completions: 3,201 Derek Carr (2014–2022)
• Passing touchdowns: 217 Derek Carr (2014–2022)
• Rushing yards: 8,545 Marcus Allen (1982–1992)
• Rushing touchdowns: 79 Marcus Allen (1982–1992)
• Receptions: 1,070 Tim Brown (1988–2003)
• Receiving yards: 14,734 Tim Brown (1988–2003)
• Receiving touchdowns: 99 Tim Brown (1988–2003)
• Total touchdowns: 104 Tim Brown (1988–2003)
• Points: 1,799 Sebastian Janikowski (2000–2016)
• Field goals made: 414 Sebastian Janikowski (2000–2016)
• Total punt yardage: 48,215 Shane Lechler (2000–2012)
• Punting average: 47.5 Shane Lechler (2009)
• Kickoff return yards: 4,841 Chris Carr (2005–2007)
• Punt Return yards: 3,272 Tim Brown (1988–2003)
• Pass interceptions: 39 Willie Brown (1967–1978), Lester Hayes (1977–1986)
• Defended passes/pass deflections: 84 Charles Woodson (1998–2015)
• Sacks: 107.5 Greg Townsend (1983–1997)
• Forced fumbles: 18 Charles Woodson (1998–2015)
• Winningest coach: 103 John Madden (1969–1978)

Single-Season Leaders

• Passing yards: 4,804 Derek Carr (2021)
• Passing touchdowns: 34 Daryle Lamonica (1969)
• Rushing yards: 1,759 Marcus Allen (1985)
• Rushing touchdowns: 16 Pete Banaszak (1975)
• Receptions: 107 Darren Waller (2020)
• Receiving yards: 1,516 Davante Adams (2022)
• Receiving touchdowns: 16 Art Powell (1963)
• Total touchdowns: 18 Marcus Allen (1984)
• Points: 150 Daniel Carlson (2021)
• Field goals made: 40 Daniel Carlson (2021)
• Total punt yardage: 4,930 Marquette King (2014)
• Punting average: 51.1 Shane Lechler (2009)
• Kickoff return yards: 1,762 Chris Carr (2006)
• Punt return yards: 692 Fulton Walker (1985)
• Pass interceptions: 13 Lester Hayes (1980)
• Sacks: 16.0 Derrick Burgess (2005)

Pro Bowl Selections

Many Raiders players have been chosen for the Pro Bowl. This is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL.

• QB Daryle Lamonica, Ken Stabler, Rich Gannon (4), Derek Carr (3), Cotton Davidson, Tom Flores, George Blanda, Jeff Hostetler (1)
• RB Marcus Allen (5), Clem Daniels (4), Marv Hubbard (3), Josh Jacobs (2), Kenny King, Greg Pruitt, Bo Jackson, Latavius Murray (1)
• FB Hewritt Dixon (4), Marcel Reece (4), Alan Miller (1)
• WR Tim Brown (9), Fred Biletnikoff (6), Art Powell, Cliff Branch (4), Warren Wells, Amari Cooper (2), Jerry Rice, Hunter Renfrow, Davante Adams (1)
• TE Dave Casper, Todd Christensen (5), Raymond Chester (4), Billy Cannon, Ethan Horton, Zach Miller, Jared Cook, Darren Waller (1)
• T Art Shell (8), Harry Schuh, Lincoln Kennedy (3), Henry Lawrence, Donald Penn (2), Bob Brown (1)
• G Steve Wisniewski (8), Gene Upshaw (7), Wayne Hawkins (5), Kelechi Osemele (2), Max Montoya, Kevin Gogan (1)
• C Jim Otto (12), Don Mosebar (3), Rodney Hudson (2), Dave Dalby, Barret Robbins (1)
• DE Howie Long (8), Ben Davidson, Khalil Mack (3), Maxx Crosby (2), Greg Townsend, Derrick Burgess, Ike Lassiter (1)
• DT Chester McGlockton (4), Tom Keating, Darrell Russell, Richard Seymour (2), Dave Costa, Dan Birdwell, Otis Sistrunk (1)
• LB Phil Villapiano, Ted Hendricks (4), Dan Conners (3), Rod Martin (2), Archie Matsos, Gus Otto, Matt Millen, Denzel Perryman (1)
• CB Willie Brown (7), Lester Hayes, Terry McDaniel (5), Charles Woodson (4), Fred Williamson, Dave Grayson, Mike Haynes, Nnamdi Asomugha (3), Kent McCloughan (2)
• S Jack Tatum (3), George Atkinson, Vann McElroy (2) Charles Woodson, Ronnie Lott, Rod Woodson, Reggie Nelson (1)
• K Jeff Jaeger, Sebastian Janikowski (1)
• P Ray Guy (7), Shane Lechler (7), Jeff Gossett, A. J. Cole III (3)
• LS Jon Condo (2)

Front Office and Coaching Staff

Coaches and Executives

These are some of the important coaches and leaders who helped the Raiders team:

• Al Davis: head coach (1963–1965), general manager/owner (1966–2011), AFL commissioner (1966)
• Ron Wolf: scout/executive, director of player personnel (1963–1974, 1978–1989)
• John Rauch: head coach (1965–1968)
• John Madden: head coach (1969–1978)
• Tom Flores: assistant head coach, executive assistant coach (1972–1978), head coach (1979–1987), executive (1988)
• Art Shell: assistant head coach (1983–1989), head coach (1989–1994, 2006)
• Amy Trask: chief executive officer (1987–2013)
• Jon Gruden: head coach (1998–2001, 2018–2021)
• Reggie McKenzie: general manager (2012–2018)
• Jack Del Rio: head coach (2015–2017)
• Mike Mayock: general manager (2019–2021)

Images for kids

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  Raiders' Hall of Famer Marcus Allen is considered one of the greatest goal line and short-yard runners in National Football League history.

In Spanish: Las Vegas Raiders para niños