The Oakland Raiders are one of the most successful and storied franchises in the history of the NFL. The team originally started play in the American Football League and made the move to the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL-NFL merger. The Raiders showed much success during their first 15 years in the NFL as they won three championships and sold many postseason Raiders tickets winning six division titles in the 70’s. The Raiders were considered the most dominant team of that decade. Following the 1985, season the Raiders relocated to Los Angeles and left their winning ways in Oakland. The team won only two playoff games during their nine year stint in Los Angeles despite the social impact the Silver and Black uniforms had on young people during that time period. Not only did the silver and black sell jerseys, but it also gave off the bad boy image and sold millions of Raiders tickets. The disappointing Los Angeles era was put to an end in 1995 when owner Al Davis moved the team back to Oakland because due to issues with the Los Angeles Coliseum Stadium. Davis was interested in selling more Raiders tickets and returning the team to glory in Oakland. Since the move back to Oakland, the Raiders have not won a Super Bowl, but have showed glimpses of success during the Jon Gruden era. Gruden helped the Raiders climb out of the AFC West cellar and sell more Raider tickets than in their first stint in Oakland.
When the Raiders came back to Oakland in 1995, they returned to their old home at the Oakland Coliseum, but with some improvements that included 10,000 seats being added in an effort to sell more Raider tickets. The Coliseum is also home to the Oakland Athletics baseball team during the Summer and in late Fall, changes into a football field to begin the selling of Raider tickets. The Coliseum is known as the home of two professional sports teams, and is also home to dedicated fans known as Raider Nation. The stadium and a particular section of fans has come to be known as "The Black Hole". The fans who claim to be part of the Raider Nation are the ones who can be seen purchasing Raiders tickets while wearing all silver and black along with Raiders helmets and various costumes, ranging from Darth Vader to The Road Warriors. The history at the Coliseum goes way back to 1966. It has been home to a total of six different professional sports teams including football teams of different leagues, the Athletics, and also a MLS franchise from 2008-2009. With so many different teams calling the Coliseum home, it also has possibly the most history of any professional sports stadium in North America. There have been rumors since 2005 about possible construction of a new stadium in Oakland for the Athletics while the Raiders would stay and continue to sell Raider tickets at the Coliseum. There has also been talk of a possible situation that if the Athletics are able to get their baseball-only stadium, that there would also be a football stadium constructed in the Bay Area that the Raiders would share with the San Francisco 49ers. Until a decision is made on the stadium issue, the Raider faithful will continue to purchase Raiders tickets and file into the Coliseum on Sundays and support their beloved football team.
12-4-12: The 3-9 Raiders have lost five straight heading into their short week matchup with the Denver Broncos. They currently rank 29th overall in rushing yards per game. Carson Palmer and the Raiders will close out their season with games against the Broncos, Panthers, Chargers and Chiefs. Passing hasn’t been a problem for the Raiders but defense has. They rank 25th and 28th in opponent rushing and passing yards.