Raiders Owner Mark Davis Part I: Different from Al
We begin a new series looking at Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis. Today we explore how he and his father are different.
Recently, I wrote a series on the life and legacy of Raider legend Al Davis. But since 2011, Davis’s son, Mark Davis, has taken majority control over the franchise.
In this new mini-series, we’ll look at what Mark Davis has done so far in a career as the owner of the Raiders.
Al and Mark are Different
It’s not easy growing up under a father like Al Davis. As I mentioned in my Al Davis series, Mark’s father was an innovator. He was ahead of his time. He did what he wanted to when he wanted to, without caring what others thought about him. Al was a guy who was always in the spotlight for what he did next.
Mark Davis, though, is quiet. He does his maneuvering behind-the-scenes, out of the public eye.
And unlike his father, Mark Davis is not a football coach; he is a businessman.
For anyone to understand Mark Davis and the things he’s accomplished so far for the Raiders franchise, the first thing to wrap around anyone’s head is that Al and Mark are two completely different people.
They do things differently.
Don’t get me wrong; Mark will always honor his father’s legacy.
A week after his father passed away, Mark installed a torch at the Oakland Coliseum, honoring his father’s legacy. Every game day, Mark would pick someone to light the flame. He established an even bigger torch at Allegiant Stadium, and the original is now relocated to the new headquarters in Henderson, Nev.
When the Raiders were approved to move their franchise to Las Vegas in 2017, he released a statement saying, “My father always said: 'The greatness of the Raiders is in its future,' and the opportunity to build a world-class stadium in the entertainment capital of the world is a significant step toward achieving that greatness.”
But hear me out. Did you know that Mark invented a muff-style hand warmer for players in 1986 after working in the equipment room? Or before he took ownership, that Mark used to work in the retail end for the Raiders, helping develop the Raider Image stores?
Also, Mark, unlike his father, is willing, or I should say, wants to hire people who are smarter than him.
Mark told ESPN’s Tim Keown in 2014: “I know what I don’t know. So, I hire people who are smarter than me.”
Mark doesn’t care about the X’s and O’s. Remember, he’s a businessman. But he wants wins, just like his dad, and if that means replacing the head coach, fine. Suppose that means moving to a different city, fine; if that means grabbing more sponsors, fine.
But unlike Al, Mark doesn’t do them himself. He delegates, as a manager and owner, should do, and lets every piece of the puzzle do their job.
Yes, Mark will honor his father’s legacy, but no, he and his father are different people.
Now that that’s established, we can talk business.
Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
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