| Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders | |
|---|---|
| Name | Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders |
| Founded | 1960 |
| City | Oakland, California; Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Colors | Silver and Black |
| Owner | Mark Davis |
| Championships | 3 (AFL/NFL) |
| Stadium | Oakland Coliseum; Allegiant Stadium |
Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football franchise established in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League. The organization won three league championships and three Super Bowl titles, featuring in major moments across the National Football League and the AFL–NFL merger. Over decades the club has been associated with cities including Oakland, California and Las Vegas, Nevada, and with prominent figures such as Al Davis, John Madden, Tom Flores, and Daryle Lamonica.
The franchise began play in 1960 in the American Football League under owner C. David Baker? and early leadership including Al Davis who later became principal owner and general manager, shaping identity through moves and hires like John Rauch and John Madden. During the 1960s and 1970s the team competed against AFL rivals such as the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders rival crews? and later NFL opponents including the Kansas City Chiefs after the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. The Raiders captured the XI, XV, and XVIII titles under coaches John Madden and Tom Flores and starred players including Ken Stabler, Fred Biletnikoff, and Maurice 'Little Diesel' Jones-Drew?. Ownership transitions and controversies involved figures like Al Davis and later Mark Davis, who presided over relocation and stadium negotiations involving Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Palace? and the Oakland Athletics in municipal discussions.
The team’s home venues include the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (commonly called Oakland Coliseum) and Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip. Earlier temporary sites featured Frank Youell Field, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during the Los Angeles Raiders era, and various neutral-site games against franchises like the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Relocation processes invoked negotiations with local governments such as City of Oakland and Clark County, Nevada, and involved developers and investors including Sheldon Adelson and the Las Vegas Review-Journal-era business community. Stadium financing tied to entities like the NFL Stadium Financing Task Force and construction firms working with Mortenson Construction and AECOM led to the modern Allegiant Stadium facility hosting NFL games, Super Bowl-related events, and concerts by artists such as The Rolling Stones and U2.
Cultural elements include the trademark silver-and-black color scheme, the pirate-inspired logo, and the fervent fanbase known as the "Raider Nation," linked culturally to performers and public figures like Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar. Team traditions intersect with media portrayals in Monday Night Football, broadcasts by CBS Sports and ESPN, and documentation in books about Al Davis and coach John Madden, who later became a commentator for NBC Sports and FOX Sports. The organization’s image has been shaped through legal matters before courts such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and public relations episodes covered by outlets like the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Oakland Tribune.
Seasons range from early competitive years in the AFL to sustained success in the 1970s and playoff runs in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 21st century. Notable campaigns include the 1976 1976 season championship, the 1983 1983 season with a potent offense, and the 2002 playoff appearance under Bill Callahan. Performance metrics and statistics have been tracked by organizations such as Pro Football Reference, ESPN Stats & Information, and the National Football League Players Association, with player awards like NFL MVP and Pro Bowl selections punctuating individual seasons. Coaching changes spanning Norv Turner, Hue Jackson, Jon Gruden, and Jack Del Rio produced varied win–loss records and postseason outcomes.
Key figures include coaches John Madden, Tom Flores, Jon Gruden, and executives like Al Davis and Mark Davis. Hall of Famers and celebrated players include Ken Stabler, Howie Long, Marcus Allen, Fred Biletnikoff, Art Shell, Tim Brown, Ray Guy, Jerry Rice (briefly), and Charles Woodson. Front-office and scouting influencers feature names like Ron Wolf and Reggie McKenzie. Broadcasters and media personalities tied to the franchise include John Gruden (as commentator), Brent Musburger, and Al Michaels through nationally televised games.
Traditional rivalries encompass matchups with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers), forming the historic divisional competition in the AFC West. Additional heated contests occurred against the Miami Dolphins in postseason play and marquee regular-season clashes with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. Regional tensions involved the San Francisco 49ers in Bay Area derbies and later intercity competition as media markets like the Las Vegas Review-Journal and San Francisco Chronicle covered franchise moves.
The franchise’s honors include three Super Bowl championships and multiple AFL/NFL division titles recorded by the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. Individual awards include NFL Rookie of the Year, NFL Defensive Player of the Year (achieved by players such as Howie Long), and multiple All-Pro selections. Statistical leaders and record holders—tracked by NFL Record and Fact Book and Pro Football Reference—feature career leaders in passing, rushing, and receiving, with franchise records held by players like Jeff Hostetler (notably), Tim Brown, and Marcus Allen.