History of Mark Davis (American football) in Timeline

Mark Davis is the controlling owner of the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) and the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA). He inherited ownership of the Raiders following the death of his father, Al Davis, who owned the team from 1972 until his passing in 2011. Since then, Mark has been the operating head of the Raiders franchise. As of October 2024, his estimated net worth is $2.3 billion.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

May 18, 1955: Mark Davis Born

On May 18, 1955, Mark Davis was born. He is an American businessman and sports franchise owner.

1965: Oakland Coliseum's age

Towards the end of the Raiders lease with the Oakland Coliseum, a facility that dates back to 1965 and had many problems related to its age. It was also at the time the only facility that still housed both a Major League Baseball team and an NFL team.

1966: Al Davis became General Manager of the Raiders

In 1966, Al Davis became general manager of the Raiders after returning from a short stint as AFL commissioner.

1972: Al Davis remained head of football operations

In 1972, Al Davis became the principal owner of the Raiders and remained head of football operations.

1972: Father becomes Principal Owner

In 1972, Al Davis, Mark Davis' father, became the principal owner of the Raiders.

1980: Represented Cliff Branch

In 1980, Mark Davis represented Raiders player Cliff Branch in contract negotiations, resulting in a deal and his expulsion from his father's house.

1986: Developed Muff-Style Hand Warmer

In 1986, Mark Davis developed the muff-style hand warmer for football while working in the Raiders equipment department.

1997: Drives Dodge Caravan SE

Mark Davis is known for driving a 1997 Dodge Caravan SE which is outfitted with a bubble-top Mark III conversion kit as well as a VCR mounted to the ceiling.

2011: Inherited Raiders Ownership

In 2011, Mark Davis and his mother, Carol, inherited a 47% share of the Raiders through Al's company, A. D. Football, Inc., structured to give them controlling interest. Mark took over as managing general partner and operating head of the franchise.

2011: Inherited Ownership of the Raiders

In 2011, Mark Davis and his mother, Carol, inherited ownership of the Raiders upon the death of his father, Al Davis, with Mark taking over as operating head of the franchise.

2013: Fired Public Relations Director

In 2013, Mark Davis fired the Raiders public relations director because of a Sports Illustrated article that was critical of Davis' father.

August 31, 2014: Ray McDonald's Arrest

Following San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald's arrest on August 31, 2014, Mark Davis spoke out publicly on the issue of domestic violence in the NFL, disagreeing with Jed York's decision to keep McDonald on the active roster.

February 2015: Pursued Shared Stadium in Carson

In February 2015, Mark Davis announced that the Raiders would pursue a shared stadium in Carson, California, with Dean Spanos and the San Diego Chargers.

March 2015: Shut Down Greg Hardy Rumors

In March 2015, Mark Davis again went public on the issue of domestic violence, shutting down rumors that the Raiders had started negotiations with Greg Hardy, who was convicted on domestic abuse charges earlier that year.

2016: Donated to Gridiron PAC

Mark Davis donated $10,000 to the Gridiron PAC between 2016 and 2017.

March 27, 2017: NFL Approved Raiders Move to Las Vegas

On March 27, 2017, the National Football League officially approved the Raiders' move from Oakland to Las Vegas in a 31-1 vote, ensuring them a new stadium.

2017: Donated to Gridiron PAC

Mark Davis donated $10,000 to the Gridiron PAC between 2016 and 2017.

May 2018: Abstained from NFL Anthem Protest Resolution

In May 2018, Mark Davis abstained from an NFL owner resolution on the anthem protests that called for players to stand or stay in the locker room until after the anthem is played or face a team fine for kneeling, locking arms, or raising their fist.

2019: Cliff Branch's annuity active until death

In 1980, Mark Davis represented Raiders player Cliff Branch in contract negotiations, resulting in a deal that included an annuity active until Cliff Branch's death in 2019

January 14, 2021: Agreed to Purchase Las Vegas Aces

On January 14, 2021, Mark Davis agreed to purchase the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association from MGM Resorts International.

February 12, 2021: Purchase of Las Vegas Aces Approved

On February 12, 2021, the purchase of the Las Vegas Aces by Mark Davis was approved by the WNBA and NBA.

May 2021: Nikki Fargas Hired as Team President

In May 2021, Mark Davis hired former LSU Lady Tigers basketball head coach Nikki Fargas as team president of the Las Vegas Aces.

June 2021: NFL Discovered Gruden Emails

Mark Davis has in addition criticised the NFL for not disclosing the Gruden emails to him and the Raider organization when the league discovered them in June 2021, as part of the investigation.

July 2021: Washington Commanders Workplace Conduct Investigation Concluded

In July 2021, Mark Davis spoke out in favor of a written report of the Washington Commanders workplace conduct investigation.

October 2021: Gruden Emails Leaked

In October 2021, information leaked from the Washington Commanders investigation showed that Raiders head coach Jon Gruden wrote emails with racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language.

December 31, 2021: Becky Hammon Hired as Head Coach

On December 31, 2021, Becky Hammon was hired as head coach of the Aces in a deal that made her the highest paid coach in the WNBA.

April 2022: Welcomed Colin Kaepernick to the Team

In April 2022, Mark Davis stated that he would welcome Colin Kaepernick to the team if general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels wished to sign him.

June 2022: Donation to Uvalde School District

In June 2022, Mark Davis donated $1 million to the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District to help fortify the schools following the Robb Elementary School shooting.

2022: Aces Won the 2022 WNBA Finals

In 2022, the Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA Finals, bringing the franchise its first championship and Davis his first championship as a professional sports owner.