January 1960: Raiders Established in Oakland
In January 1960, the Raiders were established in Oakland as the last team to select players in the new American Football League due to NFL interference.
January 30, 1960: Raiders Founded
On January 30, 1960, the Raiders were founded in Oakland, California, as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL).
February 9, 1960: Eddie Erdelatz Hired as First Head Coach
On February 9, 1960, Eddie Erdelatz accepted the Raiders' head coaching position after rejecting offers from the NFL's Washington Redskins and the AFL's Los Angeles Chargers.
September 11, 1960: First Regular Season Game
On September 11, 1960, the Raiders played their first regular season game as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL).
1960: Bud Foster and Mel Venter announce Raiders games on the radio
From 1960 to 1962, Bud (Wilson Keene) Foster and Mel Venter called the Raider games on the radio.
1960: Inaugural Season
In 1960, the Raiders' roster consisted of 28 rookies and 14 veterans, including Jim Otto and Tom Flores. The team finished with a 6–8 record, placing 3rd in the AFL West Division.
January 17, 1961: Partners Buy Out Remaining General Partners
On January 17, 1961, Valley, McGah, and Osborne bought out the remaining four general partners of the Raiders after Soda dropped out of the partnership. Valley was subsequently named managing general partner.
September 18, 1961: Eddie Erdelatz Dismissed
On September 18, 1961, Eddie Erdelatz was dismissed after the Raiders were outscored 77–46 in the first two games of the season.
September 24, 1961: Marty Feldman Named Head Coach
On September 24, 1961, Marty Feldman was named the Raiders head coach after the dismissal of Erdelatz. The team finished the 1961 season with a 2–12 record.
1961: Minneapolis Franchise Defection to NFL
In 1961, after the AFL's first draft, the Minneapolis franchise reneged on its agreement with the AFL and defected to the NFL, becoming the Minnesota Vikings.
1961: Vikings First NFL Draft
In 1961, the Vikings had their first NFL draft, not taking any rights to players previously drafted in the AFL with them after their defection.
1961: Oakland Raiderettes Established
In 1961, the cheerleading squad for the Las Vegas Raiders was established as the Oakland Raiderettes.
1961: Losing Seasons
The Raiders had consecutive losing seasons from 1961-62.
October 16, 1962: Marty Feldman Fired
On October 16, 1962, Marty Feldman was fired after an 0–5 start to the season. Red Conkright took over as interim coach.
1962: Al Davis Hired as Head Coach
After the 1962 season, Al Davis was hired as Raiders head coach and general manager.
1962: Bud Foster and Mel Venter announce Raiders games on the radio
From 1960 to 1962, Bud (Wilson Keene) Foster and Mel Venter called the Raider games on the radio.
1962: Al Davis Hired as Head Coach and General Manager
In 1962, Valley hired Al Davis, a former assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers, as the Raiders' head coach and general manager.
September 7, 1963: Debut of Silver and Black Uniforms
On September 7, 1963, the Raiders' famous silver and black uniforms debuted at the regular season-opening game.
1963: Bob Blum and Dan Galvin announce Raiders games on the radio
From 1963 to 1965, Bob Blum and Dan Galvin called the Raider games on the radio.
1963: Al Davis Joins the Raiders
In 1963, Al Davis's arrival as head coach dramatically improved the Raiders' performance.
1963: Raiders Defeat Chargers Twice
In the 1963 season, the Raiders defeated the heavily favored Los Angeles Chargers twice, both come-from-behind fourth-quarter victories.
1964: Raiders Slip to 5-7-2
In 1964, the Raiders record slipped to 5–7–2.
1965: Bob Blum and Dan Galvin announce Raiders games on the radio
From 1963 to 1965, Bob Blum and Dan Galvin called the Raider games on the radio.
1965: Raiders Begin 14-Game Winning Streak Against Broncos
In 1965, the Raiders began a 14-game winning streak against the Broncos, which lasted until 1971.
1965: Previous Season Record
In 1965, the Raiders finished the season with a record of 8-5-1.
1965: Raiders Rebound to 8-5-1
In 1965, the Raiders rebounded to an 8–5–1 record.
April 1966: Davis Named AFL Commissioner
In April 1966, Al Davis left the Raiders after being named AFL Commissioner, leading to the promotion of John Rauch to head coach.
April 1966: Al Davis Leaves Raiders to Become AFL Commissioner
In April 1966, Al Davis left the Raiders after being named AFL Commissioner.
July 25, 1966: Al Davis Returns as Part-Owner
On July 25, 1966, Al Davis returned to the Raiders as part-owner, purchasing a 10% interest in the team and becoming the team's third general partner and head of football operations.
1966: Bill King becomes the voice of the Raiders
In 1966, Bill King became the voice of the Raiders, calling approximately 600 games until 1992.
1966: Raiders Miss Playoffs
In 1966, under Rauch, the Raiders matched their 1965 season's 8–5–1 record but missed the playoffs, finishing second in the AFL West Division.
1967: Madden Hired as Linebacker Coach
In 1967, John Madden was hired by Al Davis as the Raiders linebacker coach.
1967: Ike Lassiter Injures Joe Namath
In 1967, Raiders player Ike Lassiter broke New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath's jaw during a game, fueling the rivalry between the two teams. Initially, Ben Davidson was wrongly blamed for the incident.
1967: AFL Championship and Super Bowl II Berth
In 1967, led by Daryle Lamonica, the Raiders finished with a 13–1 record and won the 1967 AFL Championship, earning a trip to Super Bowl II.
1967: Raiders Defeat Oilers in AFL Playoffs
In 1967, the Raiders defeated the Houston Oilers 40-7 in the AFL playoffs en route to Super Bowl II.
1967: 49ers Defeat Raiders in First Exhibition Game
In 1967, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the AFL Raiders 13-10 in their first exhibition game.
January 14, 1968: Super Bowl II Loss
On January 14, 1968, the Raiders were defeated in Super Bowl II, losing 33–14 to the Green Bay Packers.
1968: The Heidi Game
During the 1968 season, the Raiders and Jets were involved in the famous "Heidi Game," which added to their rivalry.
1968: Raiders begin Unbeaten Streak Against Chargers
From 1968 to 1977, the Raiders held a streak without losing to the Chargers with a 16–0–2 record.
1968: Al Davis creates the phrase Raider Nation
In 1968, Al Davis created the phrase "Raider Nation" to describe the team's fanbase.
1968: AFL West Division Title and AFL Championship Game Loss
In 1968, the Raiders ended the season with a 12–2 record, winning the AFL West Division title but lost 27–23 to the New York Jets in the AFL Championship Game.
January 16, 1969: John Rauch Resigns as Head Coach
On January 16, 1969, John Rauch resigned as Raiders head coach due to management conflicts and accepted the head coaching job of the Buffalo Bills.
February 4, 1969: John Madden Named Head Coach
On February 4, 1969, John Madden was named the Raiders' sixth head coach after the departure of John Rauch.
November 23, 1969: Chiefs Lead Overall Series Against Raiders
On November 23, 1969, the Chiefs began to lead the overall series against the Raiders for the first time.
December 20, 1969: AFL Division Playoff Win
On December 20, 1969, the Raiders defeated the Houston Oilers 56–7 in the AFL Division playoff game.
1969: Raiders Defeat Oilers in AFL Playoffs
In 1969, the Oakland Raiders defeated the Oilers 56-7 in the divisional playoffs.
1969: Continued conference affiliation
In 1969, the Raiders were a part of the AFL West, with the same teams in the conference.
January 4, 1970: AFL Championship Game Loss
On January 4, 1970, the Raiders were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs 17–7 in the AFL Championship game.
1970: Leagues retain separate regular seasons
In 1970 the leagues would retain separate regular seasons until 1970
1970: 49ers Defeat Raiders in Oakland
In 1970, after the AFL-NFL merger, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Raiders 38-7 in Oakland.
1970: Join NFL
In 1970, the AFL-NFL merger was completed and the Raiders joined the Western Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the newly merged NFL.
1970: Raiders Defeat Dolphins in Divisional Round
In 1970, the Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins 21-14 in the divisional round of the playoffs.
1970: Raiders move to the NFL
In 1970, the Raiders transitioned to the NFL following the AFL-NFL merger.
1971: AFC West Second Place Finish
Despite another 8–4–2 season in 1971, the Raiders finished second place in the AFC West and failed to make the playoffs.
1971: Raiders Continue 14-Game Winning Streak Against Broncos
From 1965 to 1971, the Raiders had a 14-game winning streak against the Broncos, which ended on October 22, 1972.
1971: Playoff Streak
The 1978 Raiders missing the playoffs marked the first time since 1971 that they were absent from the post season.
October 22, 1972: Broncos Defeat Raiders, Ending Raiders' 14-Game Streak
On October 22, 1972, the Broncos defeated the Raiders 30–23, ending the Raiders' 14-game winning streak.
1972: Davis Exercises Total Control of Raiders
From 1972 onward, Al Davis exercised near-total control of the Raiders as president of A.D. Football, Inc.
1972: Al Davis Ownership
In 1972, Al Davis took ownership of the Raiders.
1972: Revised Partnership Agreement
In 1972, a revised partnership agreement was made. The Raiders countered that—under the terms of the partnership agreement as amended in 1972—upon the death of the elder McGah in 1983, his general partnership interest converted to that of a limited partner.
1972: "Immaculate Reception" Game
In 1972, the Raiders lost to the Steelers 13–7 on the controversial play that has become known as the "Immaculate Reception".
1972: Davis Gains Control of Raiders
In 1972, while Wayne Valley was out of the country, Al Davis's attorneys drafted a revised partnership agreement making Davis the new managing general partner with complete control over Raiders operations. McGah signed the agreement, and the court sided with Davis and McGah after Valley filed suit to overturn the agreement.
September 23, 1973: Raiders defeat Miami Dolphins
On September 23, 1973, the Raiders played the Miami Dolphins at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, due to a scheduling conflict. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 12–7, ending Miami's winning streak that day.
1973: Raiders Reached Conference Championship
From 1973, the Raiders reached the conference championship every year.
1973: Dolphins defeat Raiders in AFC Championship Game
In 1973, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Raiders 27-10 in the AFC Championship Game, advancing to Super Bowl VIII.
1974: "Sea of Hands" Game and AFC Championship Loss
In 1974, the Oakland Raiders had a 12–2 regular season, beat the Dolphins 28–26 in the divisional round of the playoffs in a see-saw battle remembered as the "Sea of Hands" game, then lost the AFC Championship to the Steelers 24-13.
1974: Playoff Game
In 1974, the winner of the Steelers-Raiders game went on to win the Super Bowl.
1975: George Atkinson hits Lynn Swann
During the 1975 AFC Championship game, Raiders strong safety George Atkinson delivered a hit on Pittsburgh wide receiver Lynn Swann, which left him concussed.
1975: Loss to Steelers in AFC Championship Game
In 1975, the Raiders beat Miami and ended their 31-game home winning streak. With an 11–3 record, they defeated Cincinnati 31–28 in the divisional playoff round. However, the Raiders lost to the Steelers, 16–10 in the conference championship.
1976: Atkinson hits Swann Again
During the 1976 season opener, George Atkinson again hit Lynn Swann with a forearm to the head, causing another concussion. This led to Steelers head coach Chuck Noll referring to Atkinson as part of the "criminal element" in the NFL.
1976: Valley Sells Interest in Raiders
In 1976, Wayne Valley sold his interest in the team. Since then, despite only owning 25 percent of the team, Al Davis has maintained complete control over team operations.
1976: Raiders' success and controversy in 1976
In 1976, the Raiders beat Pittsburgh 31–28. The team received criticism for dirty play, including a hit that sidelined WR Lynn Swann. After coach Chuck Noll called safety George Atkinson a criminal for the hit, Al Davis tried to sue Noll for libel. The Raiders won 13 regular-season games and defeated New England 21–17 in a close, controversial divisional playoff game, where a late roughing the passer penalty aided their victory. They advanced to Super Bowl XI by defeating the Steelers 24–7 in the AFC Championship and defeated the Minnesota Vikings 32–14 in Super Bowl XI.
1976: Raiders defeat Patriots in Playoff Game
In 1976, the Raiders defeated the New England Patriots in a playoff game, which became unofficially known as "The Ben Dreith Game" due to a controversial penalty called by head referee Ben Dreith.
1976: AFC Championship and Super Bowl XI win
In 1976, the Raiders won the AFC Championship and Super Bowl XI.
1976: Playoff Game
In 1976, the winner of the Steelers-Raiders game went on to win the Super Bowl.
1977: Raiders continue Unbeaten Streak Against Chargers
From 1968 to 1977, the Raiders held a streak without losing to the Chargers with a 16–0–2 record.
1977: Raiders Reached Conference Championship
Through 1977, the Raiders reached the conference championship every year.
1978: Darryl Stingley injury and Raiders' playoff miss in 1978
In 1978, Patriots WR Darryl Stingley was paralyzed by a hit from Raiders FS Jack Tatum during a preseason game. Despite achieving a 9–7 winning record in 1978, the Raiders missed the playoffs for the first time since 1971.
1978: Darryl Stingley Injury
In 1978, during a preseason game between the Raiders and the New England Patriots, Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley was permanently paralyzed after a hit by Raiders free safety Jack Tatum, intensifying the rivalry between the two teams.
1978: "Holy Roller" Game
In 1978, the "Holy Roller" game occurred, in which the Raiders fumbled for a touchdown in a very controversial play against the Chargers.
1979: John Madden's departure and Tom Flores' arrival in 1979
In 1979, John Madden retired from coaching to become a television commentator, and Tom Flores, the first Hispanic head coach in NFL history, replaced him. Flores led the Raiders to a 9–7 season, but the team missed the playoffs.
1980: Al Davis attempts to move the Raiders to Los Angeles in 1980
In 1980, Al Davis tried to improve the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum and signed an agreement to move the Raiders to Los Angeles, but the league owners blocked the move. The Raiders filed an antitrust lawsuit. In May 1982, a jury sided with Davis, allowing the Raiders to move to Los Angeles for the 1982 season.
1980: Lawsuit against NFL
In 1980, after the NFL declined to approve the Raiders' move from Oakland to Los Angeles, the team joined the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission in a lawsuit against the league alleging antitrust violations.
1980: Raiders' Super Bowl XV Victory in 1980
In 1980, amidst Al Davis' attempts to move the team to Los Angeles, the Raiders, led by coach Tom Flores and quarterback Jim Plunkett, finished 11–5 and earned a wild card berth. They defeated Ken Stabler and the Houston Oilers, the Cleveland Browns, and the San Diego Chargers to advance to Super Bowl XV, where they faced the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders won Super Bowl XV 27–10, becoming the first wild card team to win a Super Bowl.
1980: Raiders Defeat Oilers in Wild Card Playoffs
In 1980, the Oakland Raiders defeated the Oilers 27-7 in the Wild Card playoffs.
1980: AFC Championship and Super Bowl XV win
In 1980, the Raiders won the AFC Championship and Super Bowl XV.
January 1981: Raiders Defeat Chargers in AFC Title Game
In January 1981, the Chargers hosted their first AFC title game against the Raiders, with the Raiders emerging victorious with a score of 34–27. The Raiders moved on to Super Bowl 15.
1981: Raiders miss playoffs in 1981
In 1981, the Raiders concluded their first run in Oakland with a 7–9 record, failing to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl in 1980.
May 1982: Raiders relocation lawsuit victory in May 1982
In May 1982, a second jury found in favor of Al Davis and the Los Angeles Coliseum in an antitrust lawsuit, clearing the way for the Raiders to relocate to Los Angeles for the 1982 season.
November 22, 1982: Raiders Host First Los Angeles Monday Night Football Game
On November 22, 1982, the Raiders hosted their first Monday Night Football game in Los Angeles against the San Diego Chargers, coming back from a 24-0 deficit to win 28-24.
1982: Raiders Move to Los Angeles
In 1982, the Raiders moved to Los Angeles, leading to what was initially considered the "Battle of Los Angeles" with the Los Angeles Rams.
1982: Raiders Depart Oakland for Los Angeles
In 1982, the Raiders relocated from Oakland to play in Los Angeles.
1982: Los Angeles Raiders' 1982 season
In the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Los Angeles Raiders finished 8–1 to win the AFC West but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Jets.
September 1983: Ed McGah's Death
In September 1983, Ed McGah, the last surviving member of the original ownership group, died, and his interest was devised to a family trust overseen by his son, E.J. McGah.
1983: AFC Championship and Super Bowl XVIII win
In 1983, the Raiders won the AFC Championship and Super Bowl XVIII.
1984: BALCO Founded
In 1984, the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) was founded in Burlingame.
1984: Raiders' Wild Card Loss in 1984
In 1984, the Raiders had a successful regular season, finishing 11–5, but a three-game losing streak forced them to enter the playoffs as a wild-card, where they fell to the Seahawks in the Wild Card game.
1985: Marcus Allen named MVP in 1985
In 1985, the Raiders achieved 12 wins and a division title, with Marcus Allen being named MVP, but a loss to the Patriots ended their postseason hopes.
1986: Davis seeks new stadium starting in 1986
Beginning in 1986, Al Davis sought a modern stadium to replace the Coliseum due to its age and lack of amenities, and the Raiders' inability to fill its 95,000 seats, resulting in game blackouts. Sites in California, including near Hollywood Park and in Carson, were considered.
1986: Al Davis' argument with Marcus Allen begins in 1986
In 1986, Al Davis had a public argument with Marcus Allen, accusing him of faking injuries. The Raiders' fortunes declined, and from 1986 to 1989, they had their first consecutive losing seasons since 1961–62.
1986: Davis testifies for USFL
In 1986, Al Davis testified on behalf of the United States Football League in their unsuccessful antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, making him the only NFL owner to do so.
1986: Patriots defeat Raiders, brawl ensues
In 1986, while the Raiders were based in Los Angeles, they hosted the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Patriots won the game, which was marred by a brawl between the teams in the end zone. Matt Millen attacked Patriots GM Patrick Sullivan with his helmet during the altercation.
August 1987: Irwindale bid fails in August 1987
In August 1987, the city of Irwindale paid Al Davis US$10 million as a deposit for a stadium site. When the bid failed, Davis kept the deposit. Davis also considered moving the team to Sacramento.
1987: Bo Jackson signs with Raiders in 1987
In 1987, Al Davis retaliated against Marcus Allen by signing Bo Jackson, a baseball player for the Kansas City Royals, to essentially replace Allen. A strike also impacted the NFL season, with the Raiders achieving a 1–2 record using substitute players before the regulars returned. The Raiders finished with a weak 5–10 record.
1987: Settlement from NFL
In 1987, the Coliseum Commission received a settlement of $19.6 million from the NFL related to the lawsuit filed in 1980.
1988: Conte at the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea
In 1988, Victor Conte offered free blood and urine tests to a group of athletes known as the BALCO Olympians, which allowed him to attend the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
1988: Low Attendance and Return Rumors in 1988
In 1988, low game attendance and fan apathy were evident. Rumors of the Raiders returning to Oakland intensified when a preseason game against the Houston Oilers was scheduled at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum. Shanahan led the team to a 7–9 season, and Allen and Jackson alternated as the starting running back.
January 1989: Negotiations with Oakland in January 1989
Negotiations between Al Davis and Oakland commenced in January 1989 regarding the Raiders return.
1989: Art Shell becomes the first African American head coach in the modern NFL era in 1989
After starting the 1989 season with a 1–3 record, Mike Shanahan was fired by Davis, and Art Shell, a former Raider offensive lineman, replaced him. Shell became the first African American head coach in the modern NFL era. The team finished with an 8–8 record.
1989: Raiders struggles and Shanahan firing in 1989
In 1989, the Raiders continued to struggle, failing to achieve a record better than 8-8 since 1986. They posted consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1961-62. After starting the 1989 season with a 1–3 record, Mike Shanahan was fired by Davis.
1989: Mike Shanahan Fired as Raiders Coach
Mike Shanahan coached the Raiders before being fired just four games into the 1989 season, which served to intensify the rivalry with the Broncos.
March 11, 1990: Davis announces Raiders' return to Oakland on March 11, 1990
On March 11, 1990, Al Davis announced his intention to bring the Raiders back to Oakland.
September 1990: Davis announces deal to stay in Los Angeles in September 1990
In September 1990, Al Davis announced a new deal to stay in Los Angeles after numerous delays in completing the deal with Oakland, leading to fan backlash in Oakland.
1990: Raiders' playoff run and Bo Jackson's injury in 1990
In 1990, Art Shell led the Raiders to a 12–4 record. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round of the playoffs. Bo Jackson suffered a severe hip and leg injury during the game, forcing him to quit football. The Raiders were then defeated 51–3 in the AFC Championship by the Buffalo Bills.
1990: Division Title
The 2000 Division Title was their first division title since 1990.
December 28, 1991: Chiefs Defeat Raiders in Wild Card Round
On December 28, 1991, the Raiders lost to the Chiefs 10–6 in the Wild Card round.
1991: Raiders' struggle at quarterback and Wild Card loss in 1991
In 1991, the Raiders finished with a 9–7 record, but struggled to find a reliable quarterback and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card game.
1992: Bill King's tenure as the voice of the Raiders ends
In 1992, Bill King's tenure as the voice of the Raiders came to an end after calling approximately 600 games since 1966.
1992: Raiders quarterback struggles in 1992
In 1992, the Raiders started two different quarterbacks and stumbled to a 7–9 record.
1993: Raiders' playoff loss to Bills in 1993
In 1993, with Jeff Hostetler as quarterback, the Raiders finished second in the AFC West with a 10–6 record. They defeated the Broncos in the wild card game but lost to the Bills 29–23 in the divisional round of the playoffs.
1994: Art Shell fired in 1994
After a 9–7 record in the 1994 season that resulted in the team missing the playoffs, Art Shell was fired.
1994: Bo Jackson retires from baseball in 1994
Bo Jackson retired from baseball in 1994 due to an injury suffered in 1990 while playing for the Raiders. Surgery allowed him to continue playing baseball until his retirement.
1994: Raiders and Rams Relocate
In 1994, both the Raiders and the Los Angeles Rams relocated due to declining attendance and stadium issues, effectively ending their local rivalry. The Rams moved to St. Louis.
1994: End of Los Angeles Era
In 1994, the Raiders concluded their time in Los Angeles.
June 23, 1995: Raiders sign letter of intent to move back to Oakland on June 23, 1995
On June 23, 1995, Al Davis signed a letter of intent to move the Raiders back to Oakland, which was approved the next month. Oakland spent $220 million on stadium renovations, including "Mount Davis," and built the team a training facility.
1995: Broncos begin Dominance Over the Raiders
Beginning in the 1995 season, with the arrival of Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos amassed 21 wins in 28 games through the 2008 season against the Raiders.
1995: The Black Hole is Established
In 1995, The Black Hole was established as a specific area of the Coliseum (sections 104–107) frequented by the team's rowdiest and most fervent fans.
1995: Return to Oakland
In 1995, the Raiders returned to Oakland at the start of the season.
1995: Raiders return to Oakland in 1995
In 1995, the Raiders returned to Oakland under new head coach Mike White and started the season well with an 8–2 record, but a six-game losing streak led to an 8–8 finish, and the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.
1995: Return to Oakland & Personal Seat Licenses
In 1995, upon the Raiders' return to Oakland, the team issued costly personal seat licenses (PSLs) to help repay the $200 million it cost Oakland to expand the Oakland Coliseum.
September 8, 1996: Chiefs Extend Lead in Series Against Raiders
On September 8, 1996, the Chiefs began to lead the overall series against the Raiders for the first time since November 23, 1969.
1996: Losing Seasons
After the move, the Raiders had two more losing seasons (7-9 in 1996 and 4-12 in 1997).
1996: Conte Worked With Bill Romanowski
From 1996, Victor Conte worked with American football star Bill Romanowski, who proved to be useful to establish new connections to athletes and coaches.
1996: Lawsuit against NFL
In 1996, the Raiders sued the NFL in Santa Clara County, alleging trademark dilution by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' pirate logo and trade dress dilution due to similar uniform colors among other teams.
1997: Losing Seasons
After the move, the Raiders had two more losing seasons (7-9 in 1996 and 4-12 in 1997).
1997: Tom Flores begins commentary with Greg Papa
In 1997, Tom Flores began doing commentary with Greg Papa.
1998: 8-8 season in 1998
In 1998, the Raiders posted consecutive 8-8 seasons
1999: Partnership Agreement
In 1999, a partnership agreement stipulated that upon Al Davis' death, his interest in the Las Vegas Raiders would be transferred to his wife, Carol Davis.
1999: 8-8 season in 1999
In 1999, the Raiders posted consecutive 8-8 seasons.
January 1, 2000: Raiders Defeat Chiefs in Kansas City
On January 1, 2000, the Raiders defeated the Chiefs for the first time in Kansas City since 1988 in overtime, with a 33-yard field goal kick made by Joe Nedney.
2000: Raiders win division title in 2000
In the 2000 season, the Raiders finished 12–4, winning their first division title since 1990. Led by MVP Rich Gannon, they advanced to the AFC Championship, where Gannon was injured, and the Raiders lost 16–3 to the Baltimore Ravens.
2001: Jury found in favor of the NFL
In 2001, in the lawsuit after relocating back to Oakland, a jury initially found in favor of the NFL regarding the Raiders' claim of interference with stadium negotiations, the verdict was later overturned before being upheld.
2001: Jets Edge Raiders on Last-Second Field Goal
In the final week of the 2001 season, the New York Jets narrowly defeated the Raiders 24-22 with a last-second field goal by John Hall.
2002: Raiders Defeat Jets Twice
During the 2002 season, the Raiders defeated the New York Jets 26-20 in December and then again in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, with a score of 30-10.
2002: E.J. McGah's Death
In 2002, E.J. McGah, a part-owner of the team and the trustee of the McGah family trust, died.
2002: Raiders Defeat Titans in AFC Championship Game
In 2002, the Oakland Raiders defeated the Titans 41-24 in the AFC Championship Game.
2002: "Tuck Rule Game"
In 2002, the Raiders and Patriots played a divisional-round playoff game known as the "Tuck Rule Game." A late-game fumble by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was overturned, allowing New England to win in overtime and eventually win the Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams.
October 2003: McGah Family Lawsuit Against Al Davis
In October 2003, several members of the McGah family filed a lawsuit against Al Davis, alleging mismanagement of the team and seeking monetary damages and the removal of Davis as general partner. They claimed Davis failed to provide them with detailed financial information.
2003: Low League Attendance
From 2003 to 2005, the Raiders ranked in the bottom three in league attendance and failed to sell out a majority of their home games.
2003: BALCO Investigation
In 2003, several current and former Oakland Raiders players, including Bill Romanowski and Tyrone Wheatley, were named as clients of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), which was involved in a drug sports scandal.
2003: Claims Dismissed
In 2003, the claims from the 1996 lawsuit were dismissed on summary judgment because the relief sought would violate the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.
April 2004: Dismissal of Majority of McGah Lawsuit
In April 2004, an Alameda County Superior Court judge dismissed the majority of the McGah family's lawsuit against Al Davis, ruling that the case lacked merit because none of the other partners joined the lawsuit.
February 2005: Original Verdict Upheld
In February 2005, a California Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the original verdict in favor of the NFL regarding the Raiders' lawsuit.
October 2005: Bill King Dies
Bill King, the voice of the Raiders from 1966 to 1992, passed away in October 2005 due to complications after surgery.
October 2005: Settlement of McGah Lawsuit
In October 2005, the lawsuit between the McGah family and Al Davis was settled out of court. Under the terms of the settlement, Davis purchased the McGah family's interest in the Raiders (approximately 31%), giving him a majority interest in the team (approximately 67%).
November 2, 2005: PSL Settlement Announced
On November 2, 2005, a settlement was announced between the Raiders, the city of Oakland, and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority, including the abolishment of Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) as of the 2006 season.
November 2005: Taking over ticket sales and abolishing PSLs
In November 2005, the Raiders announced they were taking over ticket sales from the Oakland Football Marketing Association and abolishing Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs).
2005: Low League Attendance
From 2003 to 2005, the Raiders ranked in the bottom three in league attendance and failed to sell out a majority of their home games.
2005: Patriots Defeat Raiders in Season Opener
In the 2005 season opener, the New England Patriots defeated the Raiders 30-20, spoiling Randy Moss' debut as a Raider.
February 11, 2006: Art Shell Returns as Head Coach
On February 11, 2006, the Raiders announced the return of Art Shell as head coach, with Al Davis stating that firing Shell in 1995 had been a mistake.
February 2006: Lowering ticket prices
In February 2006, the Raiders announced a reduction in ticket prices for most areas of the Oakland Coliseum.
2006: Abolishment of PSLs
In 2006, as part of a settlement announced November 2, 2005, the Raiders abolished Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs).
2006: Davis Attempted to Sell Ownership Stake
In 2006, it was reported that Al Davis had been attempting to sell the 31% ownership stake in the Raiders he obtained from the McGah family but was unsuccessful because the sale would not give the purchaser any control of the team, even after Davis's death.
January 22, 2007: Lane Kiffin Hired as Head Coach
On January 22, 2007, the Raiders hired Lane Kiffin as head coach. At 31 years old, Kiffin was the youngest coach in franchise history and the youngest coach in the NFL.
December 2008: Patriots defeat Raiders
In December 2008, the Patriots defeated the Raiders 49-26 in Bill Belichick's 100th regular-season win as Patriots coach.
2008: Broncos dominate Raiders in 21 out of 28 games since 1995
From the 1995 season through the 2008 season, the Broncos amassed 21 wins in 28 games against the Raiders.
February 3, 2009: Tom Cable Signed as Head Coach
On February 3, 2009, Tom Cable, who was named as the interim replacement for Kiffin, was subsequently signed as the 17th head coach of the Raiders.
September 2009: Ice Cube records "Raider Nation" song
In September 2009, Ice Cube recorded a song titled "Raider Nation" for the Raiders.
December 6, 2009: Raiders Spoil Steelers' Playoff Quest
On December 6, 2009, the 3–8 Raiders helped spoil the defending champions' quest for the playoffs as the game lead changed five times in the fourth quarter, and a Louis Murphy touchdown with 11 seconds to go won it 27–24 for the Raiders.
October 10, 2010: Raiders End Losing Streak to Chargers
On October 10, 2010, the Raiders ended their 13-game losing streak to the San Diego Chargers with a score of 35–27.
November 21, 2010: Steelers Beat Raiders 35-3 Amidst Rough Play
On November 21, 2010, Pittsburgh defeated Oakland 35–3, with Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour punching Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger following a touchdown.
2010: Al Davis participates in ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary
In 2010, Al Davis participated in Straight Outta L.A., a documentary for ESPN's 30 for 30 series, focusing on N.W.A and the Raiders' image impact.
January 4, 2011: Tom Cable's Contract Not Renewed
On January 4, 2011, Raiders owner Al Davis informed head coach Tom Cable that his contract would not be renewed, ending his tenure with the organization.
January 17, 2011: Hue Jackson Named Head Coach
On January 17, 2011, Hue Jackson was announced as the next Raiders head coach.
January 18, 2011: Hue Jackson Formally Introduced
On January 18, 2011, a press conference was held to formally introduce Hue Jackson as the next Raiders head coach.
August 20, 2011: Preseason Game Marked by Violence
On August 20, 2011, a preseason game between the Raiders and 49ers at Candlestick Park was marred by fights in restrooms and stands, including a shooting outside the stadium, leading the NFL to cancel future preseason games between the two teams.
October 8, 2011: Al Davis Death
On October 8, 2011, Al Davis passed away at the age of 82, leading to his wife Carol inheriting his share according to a 1999 agreement, and their son Mark Davis taking over as managing general partner.
2011: Al Davis's Death
Al Davis, who reportedly owned 47% of the Raiders' shares, died in 2011. The limited partners had almost no role in team operations and were rarely involved with the team.
2011: Patriots Win Against Raiders
During the 2011 season, the Patriots defeated the Raiders with a score of 31-19.
2011: Death of Al Davis
In 2011, Al Davis passed away, and control of the Raiders franchise was given to his son, Mark Davis.
2011: Mark Davis assumes ownership amid relocation speculation
In 2011, Mark Davis took over the Raiders, facing relocation speculation due to the Oakland Alameda Coliseum's condition and lease expiration.
January 6, 2012: Reggie McKenzie Named General Manager
On January 6, 2012, the Raiders named Green Bay Packers director of football operations Reggie McKenzie as the team's first general manager since Al Davis.
January 24, 2012: Dennis Allen Hired as Head Coach
On January 24, 2012, Dennis Allen was hired as the team's 18th head coach, and was the first Raiders defense-oriented head coach since John Madden's retirement after the 1978 season.
2012: The Chiefs Hold Five-Game Winning Streak Over the Raiders
In 2012, the Chiefs held a five-game winning streak over the Raiders, whose previous win against them was in the 2014 season.
December 8, 2013: Jets Defeat Raiders
On December 8, 2013, the Jets defeated the Raiders with a score of 37-27.
2013: Lease expiration at Oakland Alameda Coliseum
At the end of 2013, the Raiders' lease expired at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum, adding fuel to the relocation speculation.
2013: Regular Sell-Outs
Since 2013, the Raiders have regularly sold out their games.
2014: Lifting of PSL Policy
From 1995 until the lifting of the policy in 2014, television blackouts of Raiders home games were common.
2014: Patriots Defeat Raiders
In the third week of the 2014 season, the Patriots secured a 16-9 victory over the Raiders.
January 14, 2015: Jack Del Rio Hired as Head Coach
On January 14, 2015, Jack Del Rio was hired as the new head coach of the Raiders, replacing Dennis Allen and interim head coach Tony Sparano.
November 1, 2015: Raiders Defeat Jets
On November 1, 2015, the Raiders defeated the Jets with a score of 34-20.
November 8, 2015: Steelers Outplay Raiders in 38-35 Victory
On November 8, 2015, the Steelers outplayed the Raiders for a 38–35 victory. During the game, Antonio Brown caught 17 passes for 284 yards, setting Steelers team records and the 7th most receiving yards in a game in NFL history.
December 13, 2015: Raiders Upset Broncos with Defensive Performance
On December 13, 2015, the Raiders upset the Broncos (15–12) with a strong defensive performance, allowing only four field goals. Khalil Mack recorded five sacks, tying Howie Long's record for most sacks in a game.
2015: Raiders' Attempted Return to Los Angeles Fails
In 2015, the Raiders unsuccessfully attempted to move back to Los Angeles after a failed joint stadium project with the then-San Diego Chargers.
January 12, 2016: NFL Owners Approve Rams' Relocation to L.A.
On January 12, 2016, NFL owners voted 30-2 to allow the Rams to return to Los Angeles and approved a stadium project in Inglewood proposed by Rams owner Stan Kroenke. The Chargers were given a one-year approval to relocate as well, and the Raiders were given conditional permission to relocate if the Chargers declined their option first.
January 2016: Sheldon Adelson Proposes New Stadium
In late January 2016, Sheldon Adelson of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation proposed a new domed stadium in Las Vegas.
April 2016: Mark Davis Pledges $500 Million for Stadium
In April 2016, Raiders owner Mark Davis pledged $500 million toward Adelson's stadium if public officials agreed to contribute.
November 28, 2016: Raiders secure first winning season since 2002
On November 28, 2016, the Raiders secured their first winning season since 2002 with a comeback win against the Carolina Panthers.
December 20, 2016: Raiders have seven Pro Bowl selections
On December 20, 2016, the NFL announced that the Raiders would have seven Pro Bowl selections: Khalil Mack, Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Donald Penn, Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson and Reggie Nelson. This was the most selections for the team since 1991, and the most for any team in the 2016 NFL season.
2016: Raiders Lose to Texans in Wild Card Round
In the 2016 NFL playoffs, the Raiders, as the fifth seed in the AFC, faced the Houston Texans in the opening Wild Card round. Due to significant injuries hampering the team, they lost to the Texans 27–14.
January 12, 2017: Chargers Announce Relocation to Los Angeles
On January 12, 2017, the Chargers announced they would relocate to Los Angeles after a ballot initiative to fund a new stadium in San Diego failed in November 2016.
March 27, 2017: NFL Approves Raiders Relocation to Las Vegas
On March 27, 2017, NFL team owners approved the Raiders' application to relocate to the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
June 2017: Beasley Media Group Signs Deal as Raiders Flagship Radio Partner
In June 2017, Beasley Media Group signed a two-year deal to become the Las Vegas flagship radio partner of the Raiders, with KCYE (102.7) "The Coyote" and KDWN (720) broadcasting preseason and regular-season games starting in 2017.
October 19, 2017: Raiders defeat Chiefs on game-winning PAT
On October 19, 2017, the Raiders defeated the Chiefs 31–30 on a game-tying touchdown on the last play of the game, leading to a game-winning PAT.
2017: Forbes Magazine Report
In 2017, Forbes Magazine reported the Raiders' team value at US$2.38 billion, ranking 19th among NFL teams.
2017: Tom Flores ends commentary with Greg Papa
In 2017, Tom Flores ended doing commentary with Greg Papa. He started his commentary in 1997.
2017: Patriots Beat Raiders in Mexico City
In 2017, the Patriots defeated the Raiders 33-8 in a game held in Mexico City.
December 31, 2017: Head Coach Jack Del Rio Fired
On December 31, 2017, following a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17, head coach Del Rio was fired by Mark Davis after being granted a four-year contract extension prior to the season.
January 6, 2018: Jon Gruden Returns as Head Coach
On January 6, 2018, Jon Gruden returned as the Raiders' head coach after a nine-year stint with ESPN serving as analyst for Monday Night Football. Davis gave Gruden a 10-year contract worth an estimated $100 million.
November 1, 2018: 49ers Defeat Raiders in Final Game Before Raiders Move
On November 1, 2018, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Raiders 34-3 during a Thursday Night Football broadcast at Levi's Stadium, marking the last time the teams met before the Raiders moved to Las Vegas. The win tied their regular-season series at 7.
2018: Brent Musburger becomes the voice of the Raiders
In 2018, Brent Musburger became the voice of the Raiders.
2018: Raiders Upset Steelers in Oakland
In 2018, the Raiders upset the Steelers in Oakland, scoring a late touchdown to take a 24–21 fourth-quarter lead, while Steelers kicker Chris Boswell slipped and missed a game-tying field goal.
2019: The Black Hole's location in the Coliseum ends
In 2019, The Black Hole's presence in sections 104-107 of the Coliseum came to an end.
2019: "93.1 The Mountain" KYMT becomes Raiders' Las Vegas flagship station
In 2019, the Raiders' Las Vegas flagship station became "93.1 The Mountain" KYMT.
January 22, 2020: Raiders Move to Las Vegas
On January 22, 2020, the Raiders officially moved to the Las Vegas area.
2020: Relocation to Las Vegas
By 2020, the Raiders were expected to relocate to Las Vegas, accompanied by a new stadium, which contributed to a 19 percent increase in the team's value.
2020: Raiders Defeat Jets with Game-Winning Touchdown
In 2020, Derek Carr threw a game-winning touchdown to Henry Ruggs, securing a 31-28 victory for the Raiders over the New York Jets.
2020: Raiders preseason content deal with Nexstar Media Group
In 2020, a deal was made with Nexstar Media Group for stations in Raiders markets, placing Raiders preseason and special content on KRON-TV in the Bay Area, KTLA in Los Angeles, KTVX in Salt Lake City, KHON-TV in Honolulu, and KGET-TV in Bakersfield alongside KVVU and KLAS in Las Vegas.
2020: KOMP becomes Raiders flagship station via deal with Lotus Broadcasting
In 2020, a deal was signed with Lotus Broadcasting to make KOMP the Raiders flagship station and re-brand KBAD to KRLV Raider Nation Radio.
2020: Raiders Defeat Chiefs, Snapping Losing Streak
In 2020, the Raiders defeated the Chiefs 40–32, snapping a five-game losing streak and winning in Kansas City for the first time since 2012.
October 11, 2021: Jon Gruden Resigns Amid Email Controversy
On October 11, 2021, Jon Gruden resigned as head coach after emails surfaced containing racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language from 2011. Rich Bisaccia was named the interim head coach following Gruden's resignation.
November 2, 2021: Henry Ruggs Released After Car Crash Arrest
On November 2, 2021, starting wide receiver Henry Ruggs was arrested and charged with multiple felonies after killing a woman in a car crash. Later that day, the Raiders released Ruggs.
January 30, 2022: Dave Ziegler Hired as General Manager
On January 30, 2022, the Raiders announced the hiring of Dave Ziegler as general manager.
January 31, 2022: Josh McDaniels Hired as Head Coach
On January 31, 2022, the Raiders announced the hiring of Josh McDaniels as head coach.
February 4, 2022: Patrick Graham Hired as Defensive Coordinator
On February 4, 2022, the Raiders announced the hiring of Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator.
2022: Brent Musburger ends tenure as the voice of the Raiders
In 2022, Brent Musburger ended his tenure as the voice of the Raiders.
October 31, 2023: Raiders Part Ways with Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler
On October 31, 2023, the Raiders parted ways with head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce was named interim head coach and assistant general manager Champ Kelly was named interim general manager for the remainder of the 2023 season.
December 14, 2023: Raiders Set Franchise Record for Points Scored in a Game
On December 14, 2023, the Raiders set a franchise record of most points scored in a game by scoring 63 points in their 63–21 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
2023: Raiders lead all-time series against Steelers
As of the 2023 season, the Raiders lead the all-time series 17–15.
2023: Raiders Lead All-Time Series
As of the 2023 season, the Raiders lead the all-time series against an unspecified opponent with a record of 30-26.
2023: Raiders Defeat Jets Preventing Hail Mary
In 2023, the Raiders defeated the Jets 18-12, preventing a potential game-winning Hail Mary pass.
2023: Raiders Win Against Patriots
In 2023, the Raiders won against the Patriots with a score of 21-17, adding to their recent successes against New England.
2023: Raiders defeat Chiefs on Christmas Day
On Christmas Day 2023, the Raiders defeated the Chiefs and snapped another five-game losing streak.
January 2024: Antonio Pierce Named Head Coach
In January 2024, the team removed the interim tag from Antonio Pierce, making him head coach of the franchise.
December 2024: Raiders Sell Ownership Stake to Tom Brady and Knighthead Capital
In December 2024, the Raiders sold 15% of the franchise to Tom Brady and Tom Wagner of Knighthead Capital for $220 million, valuing the team at $3.5 billion.
2024: Historical value of Al Davis's 1966 Investment
Al Davis's 1966 $18,000 investment in the Raiders would be equivalent to $174,443 in 2024.
2024: 2024 NFL Season Record
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, with a playoff record of 25 wins and 20 losses.
January 25, 2025: Pete Carroll Hired as Head Coach
On January 25, 2025, former USC and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was hired as the head coach of the Raiders, departing Seattle after 15 years with the Seahawks organization.
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