Raiders Primary Logo
The Oakland Raiders' primary logo is one of the most iconic and recognizable logos in all professional sports. The team has used it since its inception in 1960, making it one of the longest-running logos in NFL history. It features a shield with an interlocking “O” and “R” on either side and two crossed swords behind the shield. The colors used are black and silver, which have become synonymous with Raider Nation.
The original design for this logo was created by former owner Al Davis when he took control of the franchise in 1963. He wanted to create something that would represent strength and power while also being distinct from other teams' logos at that time period; thus, he chose to use a shield shape instead of any lettering style that had already been seen before then within pro football circles. Additionally, Davis opted for black & silver color schemes because they were not typically used by other teams during those days – giving them an edge against competition visually speaking too!
Since its introduction more than 50 years ago, this classic Raiders Logo has become ingrained into American pop culture thanks primarily due to its association with some very successful Football Teams throughout different eras (e.,g., Super Bowl Champions 1976 & 1980). Not only does it continue to be featured prominently on apparel such as t-shirts, but it also graces many vehicles across America, proudly displaying their loyalty towards 'Raider Nation.' Thus proving just how much impactful this simple yet powerful image can still be even today!
1964 - 1981, 1995 - 2019
The Raiders logo continued as a shield that consists of the wordmark “RAIDERS” at the top, two crossed cutlasses with handles up and cutting edge down, and superimposed head of a Raider wearing a football helmet and a black eye patch covering his right eye.
1963
Al Davis scrapped the black and gold color scheme for a sleeker, sexier silver and black look, and spiced up the logo adding the wordmark “THE OAKLAND RAIDERS” to the top and crossed swords in behind the likeness of actor Randolph Scott, the man whom the Raider pirate is modeled after and an actor famous for his many star turns in Western films in the 1950’s.
1960 - 1962
Chet Soda, the Raiders’ first general partner hired a well known sportswriter Gene Lawrence Perry as the first Director of Public Relations of the Raiders. Perry (who was hired in 1959 as the first front office hire) commissioned an unknown Berkeley artist and asked that a logo be created to include a helmeted man with an eyepatch and with a firm chin of a Randolph Scott, a well known Westerns actor.
The created logo for their newly minted Raiders, a pirate wearing a football helmet with an eye patch on a gold football background. Two white swords in black trim with gold handles criss cross behind the football.