1960

The Raiders are added to the AFL as an afterthought and subsequently have to draft from the other teams' rejects. At first, they are named the Señors, the name picked by a raffle winner. After throwing a celebration for the winner, they quietly change the name to the Raiders the following day.

1963

Al Davis leaves his post as an assistant coach with San Diego to become the head coach of the Raiders. He changes their colors from orange and black to silver and black and leads them to their first-ever winning season.

1966

Al Davis serves as AFL commissioner for 3 months, and John Rauch takes over as head coach.

1968

Raiders lose to Green Bay in Superbowl II (from the 1967 season).

1969

John Madden becomes the head coach of the Raiders.

1977

Raiders defeat Minnesota in Superbowl XI (from the 1976 season).

1979

Tom Flores succeeds John Madden as head coach.

1980

The Raiders bring their proposed move to Los Angeles to the NFL owners, who vote against it. The Raiders take the NFL to court.

1981

Raiders defeat Philadelphia in Superbowl XV (from the 1980 season). The Raiders' anti-trust suit results in a hung jury, voting 8-2 in favor of the move. A second trial is scheduled for 1982.

1982

Raiders win litigation which enables their move to Los Angeles, signing a 10-year lease with the Los Angeles Coliseum, playing their first game there on August 29. The season is shortened by an NFL strike.

1984

Raiders defeat Washington in Superbowl XVIII (from the 1983 season)

1988

Mike Shanahan becomes head coach of the Raiders.

1989

Art Shell becomes head coach of the Raiders.

1990

City leaders of Oakland agree to a $500 million deal to renovate the Coliseum and bring the Raiders back to Oakland. Local opposition kills the deal. The Raiders remain in Los Angeles.

1995

After local politicians help broker a last-minute, three-way deal between the Raiders, the City of Oakland, and Alameda County, the Raiders return to Oakland and resume playing in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mike White becomes head coach of the Raiders. The NFL sues the Raiders and the Raiders countersue.

1997

Joe Bugel becomes head coach of the Raiders. The City of Oakland and Alameda County sue the Raiders, asking a court to rule that the team is obligated to honor its 15-year lease. The Raiders countersue, seeking damages for alleged fraud. The Raiders also sue the NFL, claiming they retain the rights to the league's Los Angeles territory.

1998

Joe Bugel is fired as head coach following a disastrous 4-12 season. 34-year-old wunderkind Jon Gruden is named to replace him. Gruden goes 8-8 his first year.

1999

Jon Gruden's team finishes 8-8 again.

On the litigation front, the court rules that the Raiders cannot break their lease, but may proceed to sue Oakland and Alameda County for money damages for alleged fraud.

A much more detailed team history section can be found on the Raiders' official web site.

Sources:  list members, David Brooks (dbrooks@vertgame.com), various books

FAQ maintainer:  David Brooks (dbrooks@vertgame.com)