(AP PHOTO/ Paul Sakuma)
As the Oakland Raiders spiral towards another bleak season, the question being increasingly raised by the Raider Nation is when will the NFL step in and force Al Davis to surrender the reins of power. Despite the Raiders struggles, the NFL is not going to move against Davis.
Much is being made of the Raiders run of ineptitude, but there are teams that were bad for much longer than seven years, and the league made no moves against their owners.
From 1991 to 2004 the Cincinnati Bengals did not have a winning season, and nine of those seasons were double-digit losses. During that nearly decade and a half of futility, there were no moves against the Bengals ownership.
The Saint Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals managed to avoid a winning season from 1985-97, with eight of those seasons having double-digit losses. Following the '98 season, the Cardinals didn't have another winning season until 2007, with seven of those being double-digit losses. That equates to one winning season (9-7 in 1998) in over two decades -- and two different locales -- and the Bidwell family maintained ownership unchallenged through the entire ordeal.
The NFL is run by the owners, and as a group they will not depose one of their own over a bad run. They would not want to set that precedent, because if they did it would come back to bite them if their own team went into a slide.
Related Articles
-
Coup d'etat forming in the Raiders ownership?
-
Greatness of Raiders in past?
-
Tarnished icon: Al Davis
-
Raiders must bench Russell
- Whats after Al Davis?
By virtue of being the President of the General Partner of the Oakland Raiders, Davis owns 1/32 of the National Football League. This means that he has a say in how the league is run. He will use his leverage as one of the senior owners to protect his interest in the team, and would surely be able to crush any movement by fellow owners to depose him. He has strong connections with several other owners including Jerry Jones and Ralph Wilson, who was a secret part-owner of the Raiders from the early sixties into the seventies. With those connections, there is no way that he will be forced out.
With Davis's tendency to litigate, any move by the NFL would be met with a legal response in nothing flat. The Raiders would fall into further disarray as the ownership would be held up in court for the foreseeable future. Perhaps it couldn't be worse, but there is no way it could get better, as there would be even less direction from the top.
The Raiders are in a bad situation right now, and it is hard for the fans to see a brighter future. The hope by many is that Davis retires either by choice or by nature, and the NFL can't make that happen any sooner.
NOTES:
Tom Cable gave a long "no comment" when asked about the ongoing investigation into the allegations that he broke Randy Hanson's jaw. ""I know the truth and I trust in the system, the process and I just know that what's supposed to happen will happen. I've not let it become an issue, I've not put a lot into it, and, quite frankly, haven't brought it to the team because it's not their issue; it's mine. But at the same time, like I said, I just trust that what the whole system is built on is right."
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
Thanks for this column,patrick. You have laid out the situation perfectly as it pertains to Al Davis. You have addressed in no uncertain terms this whole idea that many of us fans keep suggesting, that the NFL forcibly remove Davis as 'owner' of the Oakland Raiders.Your article completely explains why they won't do it,and give examples where they would actually have had more cause, on the basis of losing seasons, to do so with other team owners in the past and haven't. You didn't even mention the Detroit Lions organization, but yo could throw them in there too.Al is not going to be forced out by the league and we need to calling for it. have been saying this forever.For all the reasons you mention. You have laid out every reason why it will never happen, kudos.
Great article Patrick, this has been on all our minds lately. If someone were to make Al a good offer to buy the team what do you think his reaction would be?
Al, I know you that you feel that you own the team. Legally you do. But in the end I and the millions of other Raiders fans are the ones that own the team. We paid for it. I don't think I need to say how. Please stop trying to do what you no longer can do....Run this team..Please for all our sakes...
Patrick - your not entirely correct. The NFL is less interested in a teams winning & losing and more interested in their ticket sales. You see the real truth is that the NFL is a business that earns hundreds of millions in TV broadcast revenue. The TV contracts are based upon braodcasts of TV into viewers homes (broadcasts = more money & Blackouts = less money). You say its about WIN & Losses - you're wrong! It like everything else is about the almighty dollar.
The Raiders are regularly one of the worst revenue producers for the NFL - due to blackouts - which are related to their consistent losing.
The NFL desires each franchise to be competitive and to sell out its games to secure bigger TV contracts. The Riaders are underachievers in both categories and thus a disappointment to the NFL. Pride & Poise and commitment to excellence are gone and the man behind the wheel is Mr. Davis. You tell me - would the NFL like Davis gone? Hell Yes!
I too agree with Raider Jim and Carlos. It is very clear the owner cannot draft well and cannot acquire free agents well either. He regularly looks for track stars or guys with cannon arms versus drafting football players. Nobody has wasted more # 1 draft picks than Davis. On the Free agency - Javon Walker,and Tommy Kelly Over paid under achievers - Davis doesn't understand market value. His losing records year after year speak for themselves as do the blackouts. Davis is a bad owner and the more the fans can do by not buying tickets and keeping the Al must go conversation - the better chance there is for change - Otherwise expect more of the same.
How come all these know it all fans don't pull their money and buy the team from Al? Oh wait, if fans owned the team, what would they have to bitch about.
watch?v=xsUO4cjCGQU
Hey Southern Pirate,
Don't be a dipshit. Al won't sell the team, so your statement is stupid.
This new Red Zone channel is awesome. No commercials and I get to see tons of touchdowns. And I don't have to be stuck suffering watching the lousy teams in the Bay.
hey al, give your fans a break..... just win..??????????
Have to say I LOVE THE RED ZONE...
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!