Oakland Raiders: History Unkind In Years a Team Moves

The end of an era and the beginning of a new another is at hand. The Oakland Raiders are about to officially become the Las Vegas Raiders.

This is an event that has steadily built over the past couple years. It became evident that Raiders owner Mark Davis was determined to get hims team into a new stadium. Unfortunately the city of Oakland could never seem to put together a proposal that satisfied him or his business associates. Several attempts were made but it never came to pass. Now the vote has passed in an overwhelming majority. The Raiders are headed for the strip.

As with most huge changes like this, there are happy and sad people on both sides. Oakland fans have to watch their beloved team leave for the second time. Las Vegas fans relish the first time in their city’s history that they’ll have a professional sports team. Traditionalists hate the idea of the Raiders playing anywhere else. Progressives think this will be good for the game.

In the immediate situation? Raider fans should prepare for some early disappointments. History shows that teams who move from one city to another tend to not make the best first impressions.

• 1982:  Oakland Raiders moved to L.A.
  • Blew home playoff game to the Jets
• 1984:  Baltimore Colts moved to Indianapolis
  • Went 4-12 that season
• 1988:  St. Louis Cardinals moved to Phoenix
  • Went 7-9 that season
• 1995:  Los Angeles Raiders moved back to Oakland
  • Went 8-8 that season
• 1995:  Los Angeles Rams moved to St. Louis
  • Went 7-9 that season (after starting 5-1)
• 1996:  Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore
  • Went 4-12 that season
• 1997:  Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee
  • Went 8-8 that season
• 2016:  St. Louis Rams moved back to L.A.
  • Went 4-12 that season

It’s worth noting that Raiders still practiced in Oakland during their 1982 season, so an asterisk can be put next to that year. Suffice to say this young, up-and-coming team may be in store for a slight hiccup in 2017. Though they have talent, the success of an NFL team is centered around stability and lack of distraction. Few things are more jarring to the comfort and psyche than having to pick up your life and move it somewhere else. Maintaining focus on football is almost impossible.

Perhaps they could break the mold. Having Derek Carr will definitely help. Even so, there is a benefit that the team will continue to play their games in Oakland for the next two seasons. The move itself will not be immediate like with the Rams and Chargers. That could end up serving them well, and who knows. Maybe they can give Oakland a proper sendoff with a Super Bowl championship in that window.