If you're like me, every day when you log on to Bleacher Report and go to the Front Page, you notice three or four of the "Most Popular" stories are about the Oakland Raiders.
And if you're like me, it kind of makes you scratch your head in wonder.
Why is there such a disproportionate number of Oakland Raider stories compared to the other 31 NFL teams? (Here's a screen shot of the Front Page this morning in case you need actual proof of this phenomenon). There are six stories total in the "Most Popular" section, and no fewer than four of them are about the Oakland Raiders; it's like that every single day.
Am I the only one who thinks that's more than a little weird?
I mean, Oakland is far from the biggest city in the NFL, so it's not as though the sheer size of their fan base can explain this. In fact, according to Wikipedia, Oakland is the 44th largest city in America by population. I count 22 other NFL cities on that list that are above Oakland, including Nashville (Titans) and Jacksonville (Jaguars).
Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the city of Oakland or their beloved Raiders—and yes, I know that some people love to hate the Raiders. Not me. I'm not angry or upset about the barrage of Oakland Raiders stories on the home page of Bleacher Report.
You might be more accurate to say that I'm intrigued...puzzled...perplexed...vexed.
Allow me to put forth some theories as to why the Raiders have a presence on this site that suggest they are America's Most Popular Football Team (when—no offense to Raider fans—they are not).
1. High Concentration of Tech Savvy Fans
My best theory is that Bleacher Report is most popular with tech-savvy people—folks who probably already have their own website or blog and who are on the cutting edge in web and technology products and developments.
Since Oakland is so very near the heart of Silicon Valley, it stands to reason that they would have a higher concentration of the tech-savvy kind of person. Thus the higher concentration of Oakland Raiders articles on this site.
Why This Theory Might Be Wrong: Well, then how do you explain why the 49ers don't have the same over saturation on Bleacher Report?
2. Massive Conspiracy
While admittedly not my best theory, there is the possibility that Bleacher Report's staff members are such huge fans of the Oakland Raiders that they secretly boost the stories' popularity factors. I said it's possible...but it's definitely not likely.
Why This Theory Might Be Wrong: Well, there's not a lot of sense in rigging a site like this to promote your favorite team, since Bleacher Report is all about the fans' voice and democracy. There's too much downside if they were to get caught for me to seriously believe in a conspiracy.
Besides, if you're going to enter into a conspiracy to promote one NFL team, don't you think you'd pick a team that at least has half a chance of winning eight games this year?
3. There Are Just More Oakland Raider Fans Online and on Bleacher Report
It's possible that there are more Raider fans on this site, per capita, than there are fans of other teams.
Why This Theory Might Be Wrong: I really, really doubt this theory. I did some searches on Bleacher Report to test my theories. I searched for "Oakland Raiders" and got about 17 pages of stories. Then I searched for "Dallas Cowboys" (they are "America's Team" after all) and got 25 pages of stories. I searched for "New York Giants" and got a whopping 32 pages of results.
What this proves is that there aren't a disproportionate number of articles being written about the Raiders. There are, in fact, more articles here for the Giants and Cowboys. If there were more Raider fans in general on this site, then they would have the highest number of total articles written. But they don't.
And yet the Raiders still dominate the "most popular" section.
4. Raider Fans Have A Sophisticated Network of Online Supporters
This is the theory that whenever a Raiders fan writes a Raiders-specific Bleacher Report article, he alerts his Oakland Fan Network buddies through email, myspace, twitter, blog posts, and other means and they all go "read" his story immediately to help ensure the story goes hot and hits the home page.
Why This Theory Might Be Wrong: I just don't see why the Raider fans would be the only group to figure this out. If such a sophisticated network were to exist, I would think there would be other teams whose fans discover its power and do the same thing.
Also, I think it may be a little laughable to include the words "sophisticated" and "Raider fan" in the same sentence. Ooooh, burn. Sorry Oakland...that was a cheap shot and I couldn't resist. I should know better. Won't happen again. Really, that joke works no matter what fan base you choose.
5. Bleacher Report Has A Weighted Popularity System That Places Higher Values on Reads for Teams That Perennially Suck
Man, oh man, what did I just do?! I promised that the cheap shots wouldn't happen again and then, Bam! Geez, there's' something wrong with me.
Again, Raider fans, I'm sorry. In fact, just a handful of years ago you guys went to the Super Bowl, so I should be nice. But you have to admit that there have been a lot of lousy seasons lately for the Silver & Black.
Why This Theory Might Be Wrong: Because if it were true, then the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins would also dominate the Most Popular Stories section.
So there you go—my five best guesses as to why the Raider articles seem to be so much more popular on this site than NFL stories in general. What I really want is for you guys to tell me what you think. I'm throwing out the question: Really? The Raiders are the most popular NFL franchise on this site? Really? How can that be?
Now I need answers.
Of course the real irony will be if this article itself somehow winds up being one of the most popular of the day, adding to the dominance of Raider-centric stories.
comments (55) write a comment »
write a new comment
3 months ago
Well I think this site is incredibly west coast bias..
Haha, no I'm kidding but I do believe it's origins are in the West Coast. I doubt that matteres though.
The selection process on what gets on the front page or what gets displayed where is very puzzling to me. I'll never really understand it as much as they explain it and I'm pretty understanding when it comes to technical stuff.
I could post a new Indians article and it will be nowhere to be found on the Indians page, just a bunch of stuff from 3 months ago or something like that. I don't think anyone here is doing that on purpose, it's probably all the 0's and 1's that are making it that way.
from 3 months ago
Oh and as for all the Raiders stuff.. I think it's quite odd that there are a lot of Raiders articles out at this time. There must be a lot of fans here, but still it's strange.
3 months ago
As a lifelong member of the Raider Nation I have but two things to say. First of all, I couldn't help but laugh at the jabs you took. What is the fun of supporting a team if you can't go back and forth with other teams' fans? I mean we have had so many opportunities to rub our success in everyone else's faces that it was only a matter of time until people got fed up enough and we got bad enough for it to come back in a strong way.
With that said, I think the reason for the "barrage" of Raider-centric articles is because we have been a rather lousy team the past several seasons. This means we have a LOT of work to do and there is no clear cut path as to what has to be done. All fans have an opinion as to what their team needs to do to make next season better, we just have a disproportional amount that needs to be done and there are oh so many ways to do it.
Sorry J, I just don't see a conspiracy as logical (but if there is a secret Oakland web ring, does somebody want to let me in on it?).
3 months ago
besides the fact that the raiders are the best team in the NFL past, present, or future. I truly believe that the raiders are the most popular in this site because of 1. Darren mcfadden will come to Oakland.2. The raiders are making big tidal waves in the offseason. 3. We have a quaternack who can throw the whole football field and we have the best cornerback in football nnamdi asomugha and bow we have the best cb tandem with hall in the mix.
That is why.
from 3 months ago
Present?
You are stretching it with the past thing to begin with.. But present? come on man, I don't think so.
3 months ago
Don't twist yourself. The NATION is everywhere I'm representing from Charlotte NC. It could be that the "Autumn wind is in the air" Can't you smell it?
from 3 months ago
Raider Revenge, I am from Tennessee and in Kentucky now. Great response.
3 months ago
I've also wondered about the enormous hits that the Raiders articles get. There just must be an extremely large west-coast core following to the site and a hell of a lot of people who are interested in what the Raiders are doing this off-season.
It doesn't seem to make much sense, though.
3 months ago
By the way, the Green Bay Packers are America's team.
3 months ago
I completely agree...
3 months ago
I joined this site after realfootball365 encountered software problems and I was unable to post any comments since last month. That site was the same way all 32 teams can post there but 90% of the participates were Raider Fan. Well there was a heavy Buffalo fan base to but nothing like the Raiders. I believe that our fans are just as hungry as Al Davis for victory. So we are in even in March.
3 months ago
The Raiders will be serving crow in 2008. Go Raiders…Reclaim your Providence.
3 months ago
I grew up in Santa Rosa, CA and now live in Colorado and there are many Raider fans in Colorado. No matter where you go in this country you will find members of the Raider Nation. We may not be the best team right now, but we have the best and seemingly largest fan base in America.
Oh yeah, and we will see how popular the Packers remain now that Brett Favre is retired.
3 months ago
You guys should embrace the force of the dark side. The force is strong in the NATION.
3 months ago
The primary reason is most of the "buzz" lately is abot the Raiders. Free agency signing, DeAngelo Hall Trade, #4 position in the draft, Kiffin/Davis feud/non feud, dancing allegations. Plus there are more Raider Fans worldwide than any other team. And, the internet is world wide.
H
3 months ago
Alright, I'll bite. You'll see by the picture that Jeremy provided that I wrote one of the stories he speaks of. So far, as a writer, I'd say that half of my stories dealing with the Raiders has gone...'Silver'? Like the Yankees or Red Sox, Manchester U., Lakers, or Red Wings, the Raiders have one of the largest fan bases in the league. The only other team that compares is probably the Dallas Cowboys. Proof of this came a couple of years ago when the Raiders visited the Cardinals in Arizona. The normally empty red seats were black and the stadium was sold out! Cardinals players were quoted saying things like, "I wish we had this kind of fan base." Any away game the Raiders have, you still see a strong contingent of Raiders fans at the games.
All that being said, the theory you never laid out and is the REAL reason that the stories hit the 'most popular' is that Raiders fans have the MOST passion amongst ALL fans. Think about it for a minute. You were probably right about Raider Nation not having the largest presence on this site, but yet more people read the stories. Also, don't forget that NO team is HATED as much as the Raiders. Some of those hits come from the 'Haters' too. There's another reason too. Raiders fans are world wide! We get posts from Australia, Germany, England, Ireland, etc... I hate to do this (pimping my article) but I just wrote another Raider article that's on today. If you get a chance, check it out. It might give you more insight into the Raider Nation.
Great article Jeremy! Well written and also a poignant topic. I've been wondering the same thing the past couple of days as well...hence I was ready with a theory. Keep up the good work.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Rob. Insightful stuff. I'm willing to believe that the Raiders have a more passionate Bleacher Report presence. But it just strikes me as weird that 4 of the top 6 articles are Raider-related... and the other two are March Madness articles. And March Madness is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Just seems strange.
Might be that the passion you speak if is WAY more prevalent than I thought.
3 months ago
The "Nation" is alive and well and we are more excited about our team than most fans that is why all of the articles are here and in the popular list. I am from Seattle born and raised and have always been a Raiders fan. Silver and Black till I die.
3 months ago
I think right now it is because of the hope and optimisim we have. Secondly, Raider fans are highly involved in the "goings on" of our team. The forum that I take part in is FULL of life long students of the game, when I visit other team sites I don't see that same depth of conversation. It is also true that our forum is full of links to videos, sites, and articals just like this. We have a serious "us against the world" mentality because of all the negitive press we receive. These are just a few reasons for these things that you have noticed
3 months ago
Pretty good article except the part about not going to win at least 8 games this year. With their schedule I believe you are wrong. You are also wrong about the fan base it's easily the largest fan base in the world which is why they also sell more gear than any other team. Couple that with the fact that they obviously have the most haters by far than any other team and wham, instant hits. It also cracks me up to see writers say something biased and hateful and then say you're sorry, just to get more hits.
3 months ago
RAIDER NATION!!!
3 months ago
well maybe a reason for the popularity is the fact that the raiders have made some curious and maybe unnecessary moves this off season. When a team does something controversial people seem to have opinions and raider fans choose to voice their opinions in the form of articles.
3 months ago
Passion is the correct term or theory I would go with as well. I have lived in 5 states in this country, and have never felt like I was the only Raider fan around, we make it known. In fact, Hawaii might as well be another stomping ground for the Raiders, along with the already known Los Angeles fan base. One other reason I can throw out there is this: AL DAVIS. He lives, dies, shits, and sleeps the Raiders, and his passion has rubbed off to us in the Nation, I mean how could it not? Al has always taken the "problem" players and welcomed them with open arms, whether they turned into HOF material, or a complete bust. He is a gambler or risk taker, he says there will be no re-building just re-loading and he means it. No one else has done it like he has, the guy is a maverick and we will not see another Al Davis again in the NFL. He has been a coach, a GM, a commissioner, and an owner while seeing 5 superbowls and winning 3. That could be a theory I can come up with, Al Davis. The Raiders have only had 12 losing seasons since 1963, and 5 of those have come in the last 5 years, which means 32 years we went .500 or above. So yes, the Raiders are one of the all time teams in the past Nino, definately not the present, although we are the last AFC west team to make it to a super bowl.
3 months ago
I recently wrote an article reviewing a recent trade by the Raiders.
The article had over 1500 reads on the first day. And my article wasn't "breaking news", or even very good...
3 months ago
Most of us Raider fans are fans for life. It does not matter how good they are at the time. The Raiders are like no other team in so many ways and the fans are the same. We mourn when the season is over and can't wait for the next football related event. We study the draft picks we know everyone on the roster and where they played college. We live, breath and bleed Raiders all year long. We hate band wagon fans and wish they would just follow another team like the Cowgirls or the Donkeys. We as a group are like no other fans in the world. Go Raiders!!
3 months ago
Hawaii raider Fan chiming in too!
3 months ago
It's because Raider fans are the most fanatical and tech savy pro football fans. Also the Raiders are a facinating soap opera. Who could create a character more strange than Al Davis? He's the Blowfeld of the NFL.
3 months ago
Just whine about it and not win, baby.......and we all know those days are quickly fading....cuz Raider nation is turning the corner in 2008-09.....The Raider BUZZ is just starting, as is 'Just Win'! Go Raiders
3 months ago
If you ask me, the Oakland Raiders have a wide variety of fans and a gigantic fanbase. This site is also based in San Francisco, so its near Oakland. Another reason is the Oakland Raiders are the hot item on the site, there what's in style right now, their articles are being posted everyday like clockwork.
3 months ago
I'm wondering as well because I hate the Raiders. They don't have any idea what they are doing. They completely overspent in FA. If they were smart they would trade down their #4 pick for multiple picks and build their team through the draft. They are going to end up with Cap problems with underachieving players.
3 months ago
Rob and Surfing I think make the best points, the Raiders are generating so much interest because of their situation more than anything else. With that 4th overall pick the Raiders could do alot, and the fact that theyre interested in McFadden who seems to be an incredibly popular player makes that a big buzz generator. They also are a team with a lot to do, and they have done alot, all the stuff they've done this offseason has given the Raiders alot of attention. Not only did they give Kelly a huge contract and make a trade for Hall that could be huge, but no one is sure if either of those moves are truly worth it. When you make questionable moves not only will you get articles about them, but you'll get articles in support and against them tripling the amount of coverage. To top it off when you combine the tripled coverage with a pationate fan base, add it to the fact that of all the teams this off season Oakland has done the most interesting things you get a huge amount of attention going to one place. In conclusion, the attention the Raiders are getting is a circumstantial thing and when the season moves on attention will go elsewhere, so if we wait out the black and silver storm the other colors will begin to show.... side note: the network theory just might not be that rediculous, I'll keep my eye on that one
3 months ago
I am a Raider fan and over the years many of my friends have be come anti-Raider fans. Publishers and writers want you to read their stuff, they don't care if your there because you love or hate the topic team. Some of my friends are more exited and trilled about bad news about Oakland than they are about good news for their team. A lot of people love to hate the Raiders. Remember "Fan" is short for fanatic, the Raiders have a huge following of anti-fans. Lets face it, they have had a lot to write and talk about over the last few seasons.
3 months ago
I'm a Raider fan from Concord, CA. I'm close to Oakland, but this has nothing to do with distance. The Raiders have provided us fans with many unforgettable moments in NFL history. Some of these even have caused the rules of football to change. I loved that last second touchdown we scored against San Diego in a playoff game. Dave Casper nor anyone else can fumble a ball forward anymore. Even though the snow job in New England rob us of a chance at another suprebowl title we made history again. Brady fumbled and Woodson recovered. We all know who really won that game. The point is that it never gets boring following the Raiders. There the best and most entertaining NFL football team ever, even when they are losing. There's nothing better than when they are winning and dominating other clubs. Us Raider fans get all excited just thinking about it. During those years where we pretty much dominated the game of football, we were very polite fans and never slammed other teams for being poor or weak. We showed respect to all opposing teams regardless of their record or how poorly they played. I'm afraid this type of behavior will cease to exist. I think we have had about all we can take from the Raider haters, escpecially those in the news profession that fabricate dishonest stories, in an attempt to make everything Raider related look bad. That party is almost over and we are starting to get excited. We can't wait for this season to start. If our hopes and dreams come true, we might not be so nice this time. What goes around, come around.
There's a bunch of others like me spread all over the world, not just around Oakland. Try to google "Oakland Raiders" sometime if you think you found a lot of news here.
3 months ago
Stop already with the "We have the most fans" take. You are FAR from the team with the most fans.
It's quite humorous reading how Raider fans state 'There are fans in every state" "There are fans in Europe"...etc.
If you got out a little more you would realize that EVERY team has fans in every state. Travel around, and you'll see fans representing NFL teams all around the world. Yes, I saw LOTS of Niner fans in London, Edinburgh, Rome, Paris...you name it.
Also saw Bear fans, Bronco fans, Buc fans, and also saw a Raider fan in Lisbon. Now, the fact I only saw one Raider fan doesn't mean there weren't more, but it also doesn't mean because I saw one, that they're now "WORLD WIDE, AND MORE THAN ANY OTHER TEAM".
Want proof that some of your assumptions about the Raiders having the most loyal fans is bogus??
In the last 5 years there is one team that is leading the NFL in home game blackouts...the most amount of games not sold out...where fans didn't show up to support the team...and that's the Raiders.
How can a Raider fan state, automatically that the Raiders have the massive amount of loyal fans when even in their own area they don't have much support?
Prior to getting a new stadium, the Az Cardinals use to own the distinction of having the worst fans in the NFL ( of course, they used to play in a college stadium, with metal bench seats, where the temp's sometimes hit 115 degrees...so that might explain why they have trouble selling out), but now that dubious honor is on the Raiders.
Sorry, Raider fans, but that "most fans, most loyal fans" etc is a comment only stated by Raider fans, no one else.
There are MANY teams who's fans are far more numerous, loyal and supportive than Raider fans, including the Niners.
Niners haven't been to the Super Bowl in over a decade, yet the Niners have sold out each and every home game for the last 26 years STRAIGHT...over a quarter of a century of sell outs. Many teams have done the same...Washington, Green Bay, etc..
Raider fans?? In '02, towards the end of the year, in a game that decided if you were even going to be in the playoffs, the Raiders STILL DIDN'T SELL OUT. Even Raider talk shows were ripping into the fans for their non-support in such a big game.
One thing is true, though. The Raiders are one of the most dysfunctional teams, from top to bottom, in the league, and, like a train wreck, it's rather entertaining to watch the self-imploding, which seems to never end.
from 3 months ago
Hey, first-time poster here (I'll register later), but had to point out the humor of this:
Click on Mike49er's name, notice the only comments listed by him are bashing the Raiders - paragraph after paragraph of insecure rantings "proving" that one of greatest teams of all time is worthless from top to bottom.
1st: I'd like to apologize for the time that some mean person with a Raiders cap frightened you once, or took your girlfriend or something. We're not all evil.
2nd: The word and concept of the "Hater", one who lives only to demean those superior to them (individual or team), is SO played out and over- or mis-used that it's really refreshing to see such a pure example in you Mike. I'm seriously, you guys.
3rd: RAIDERS 6 AND 5 ALL-TIME VS NINERS. Whoo-hoo! (sorry 'bout that, but, well, 6 and 5)
Lanky Nibbs
3 months ago
One of America's largest markets, Los Angeles, still belongs to the Raiders more than any other pro team. That makes for a lot more fan interest and traffic.
3 months ago
Mike49er: Spoken like a true hater. You sound jealous and bitter. What’s also entertaining is that you are under the impression that the 49er is the team for all NFL teams to follow. What a joke. You’re hurting now because there’s no up swing for the 49ers just another rebuilding season. What’s so functional about that? You haters will be dealt with rest assure.
from 3 months ago
Gee, I would have thought you would have had something to say to refute what I said. Instead you run the copout "I have nothing in reply, so I'll run the 'You're jealous and bitter".
Yeah, "Revenge" that makes LOTS of sense.
I mean, how can one not be jealous of a team that is the laughingstock of the NFL? With a owner who still think's it's 1967, and that he's still expected to call all of the shots. With a lameduck coach who does want to be there, and the owner doesn't want to fire him because he'll have to pay him. And how can one not be envious of a team where NO RESPECTABLE HEAD COACH would ever, as in EVER want to coach at.
Yeah, "Revenge" what could I have been thinking??? lol...Speaking of "what a joke" You're the poster child for"I'm confused."
Where did you get the impression that I said the Niners are the team for all NFL teams to follow???
(See "I'm confused" above) I stated how long we've sold out, along with other teams doing the same.
OHHHHHHhhhh....I get it.
You have nothing to say about that fanbase that is far from supportive, especially in Oakland, so the "you're jealous" is pretty much all the ammo you have, regardless that your shooting blanks??
In that case, have at it Revenge.
Knock yourself out.
3 months ago
born and raised in north jersey...been a raider fan since 83 (thanks to my older brother)...i've been to football games all over the country...NOBODY has a bigger following at other teams' stadiums than the oakland raiders...we set up shop in your parking lots and wear our colors regardless of the city we're in...that's the beauty of the raiders...that diehard support regardless of their record..man, i see raiders jersey's being worn in jersey and new york all the time and it ain't like they're fairweather fans...it's just that the fan base is that serious...i have a raider bar in north haledon 10 minutes from my house in hackensack...every sunday during football season i go there and do you know what i see? the raider game is on the big screen with the volume turned up and the giants and jets get banished to little corner tv's...muted, nonetheless..the point i'm tryin' to make is that raider nation, the original NATION, is everywhere....look for yourself
note: i've even seen raiderfans overseas...i saw 3 different dudes wearing raider jerseys the last time i went to amsterdam and my boy was freaking out (he's a bronco fan)...it's a beautiful thing
3 months ago
Just to chime in with an "official" reaction:
Jeremy and the rest of the commenters who've chimed in have made a lot of good points. As one of the guys who runs the site, I can confirm that it's really because the Raiders have a huge, national fanbase and they really turn out for articles like no other group of fans (at least yet).
Every Raiders article on Bleacher Report gets posted all around the web on Raiders forums and news sites, bringing in thousands of fans. Some of those fans stick around and write their own articles, and there is a snowball effect. Hence the Raider domination of the Most Popular list.
So if you're a fan of another team and you're sick of seeing that, get the word out about your articles and try to push the Raiders off the list!
As for the idea of a West Coast bias, well while the site is located in San Francisco, we're pretty much all 49ers fans (although we do have one Cowboys fan), so we're as thrown for a loop as everyone else about the Raiders' popularity on the site. Still, you gotta hand it to Raiders fans for being so passionate and going all out.
from 3 months ago
Oh, and props to Jeremy for finally being the one to write this article (someone had to say something) and for doing such a good job with it.
This is such an interesting debate, and a great example of what happens when a fanbase really comes alive on Bleacher Report, that I think I'll write about it on the BR blog.
3 months ago
Check out my blog post on this topic, here:
http://blog.bleacherreport.com/?p=69
3 months ago
The reason is the raiders do have the largest fan base in the nfl. If you get a chance to watch their away games, there are always a bunch of raiders fans on site. You can say that for other teams too, but every city there is always a large base of raider fans. I am from Indiana and have rooted for the raiders since 1994. And for the record i hate the colts.
3 months ago
Great article. I was thinking the exact same thing.
I guess it is because Raider fans show their fanhood loudly and proudly. They don't care if they look like idiots.
3 months ago
Pretty simple: Anonymous is a Raiders fan.
3 months ago
I think it is what I will call "The Howard Stern Phenomenon" If you saw "Private Parts" you know what I am talking about. Since Oakland is one of the most hated teams in the NFL, people want to know what they are doing to help make them worse. People are loving that they get to kick us while we are down, and since every story has something negative to say about Oakland, most haters are pleased. That is my theory. The Darkside is coming back!
3 months ago
I am ahuge Raider Fan and have lived in Europe for many years. I have to say, I saw more Raider fans than other fans, but that is just what I saw, as you say. Your point about selling out a stadium is valid to a point also, with the exception of the Packers, who have a very dedicated fan base IN GREEN BAY, other clubs have sold out their games more than Oakland. However, most of those games you can see that in the stands anywhere from 10-50% of the stadium is filled with the opposing teams gear. So yeah they sold out, but that is not a true indication of how loyal their fans are. How many colors do you see in Oakland. Except for a handful of very brave people (I am talking maybe 100 total) you see 2 colors, Silver and Black.
Here comes the Darkside!
3 months ago
I really don't think the 49er fans can count on many more sellouts. I could be wrong. This past year I noticed more than a few games on local TV that had to be sold out, but the TV showed more than half of the red seats empty. Somebody with an agenda, other than fans, must be buying the unsold tickets. Does that somebody have enough cash to do it again for another year? Maybe, but who knows. There could easily be blackouts for 49 fans in 2008. Half of them will probably drive across the bridge to watch a good football team. They always do when the Raiders are playing well.
3 months ago
One, sure Oakland is not that big, but you failed to mention Los Angeles, which the Raiders have a huge connection to. So that's 1 incredibly large city predominantly behind the Raiders, and throw in the very large Bay Area (not just Oakland). Two, take a look at the Raiders website and you'll see that you can view the website in 5 other languages besides English. So the Raiders are truly global. Three, the Raiders have the most loyal diehard fans in all of Sports... While they may not all be able to attend the games in Oakland, they show their support in many other ways.... Like Blogging.
3 months ago
I think for my first article and each subsequent (until the gig is up) I'll put "Raiders" in the title or byline. Based just on the response to this article it would make for plenty of hits. The articles, of course, will be about the Lions, the only true train-wreck of a franchise, that have stopped being a grotesque fascination (like the raiders), and have progressed to the truly sad. Much like the city that spawned them.
Oh yeah, and a question for the raider nation. Seriously, why can't you sell out a game? That's been something that has always puzzled me.
3 months ago
I think that a big reason for all of the articles about the lowly Raiders is that there are a lot of good stories coming out of Oakland. If Russel plays this year with McFadden in the back field it could be a good year for the black and silver
3 months ago
there are 4 of the top 6 most viewed articles are raiders articles
3 months ago
Mike the 49er: Dribble is the shit that comes from your post kind of a “incoherent rambling” You’re a moron rapped in a idiot. If you are going to try to talk smack at least make some kind of feeble attempt to use your brain first. As mentioned by everyone how knows the NFL the RAIDERS have the best fan base period. That's is what every fan wants. That defines "Jealousy" I hope this help you with your understanding of the Nation. Post back if you need more insight. Ohh by the way we will take the AFC west in 2008 then were coming for the rest of you fools. You can talk that past shit aLl you want but it looks like the RAIDERS are gearing up to RECLAIM OUR PROVIDENCE. What about the 49ers?
from 2 months ago
Stay in the shallow end of the pool, wannabee. That stupid crap is a waste. Geez..look at your first post to me "You haters will be dealt with" and now? You run that silly crap? the ONLY people who state the Raiders have a good fan base is RAIDER FANS, moron. That's it. no one else. you fools see a Raider shirt in NY, and it's "We're EVERYWHERE...WE'S THE RAIDER NATION".
Only babbling foolish Raider fans run that snivel, "Revenge". BTW..why do I just know that each and every year, at this time, you run the same sorry "When we take the AFC West in '03, uh..'04..'05...ETC..ETC"?? Broken record, that's likely never to be fixed.
You're the Raiders.
You have the absolute worst record in the last 5 years of any team.
You have the absolute worst record of most blackouts of any team last 5 years.
You have no fan base..who are you kidding? Where are they? WHERE?? don't run that "we have fans in every state"..EVERY SINGLE TEAM DOES. Pick a team, any team, pick a game they've played, any game, in the last 20 years,..and there are rival fans in their ball park..doesn't matter who they play, there will be rival fans at the game..because EVERY TEAM HAS FANS EVERYWHERE.
now, you get back to that "wannabee" bit about "We're coming for you" and the rest of us will get back to laughing at ya...then you can explain how it is the Raiders can't sell out, yet have the "best fan base, period"??
You won't reply to that last sentence. Nothing you can say. let me guess?? You stand on the corner, wearing that raggy torn hand me down raider tshirt, swilling wine, while screaming at cars going by "Raiderrrrs"...lol...right?
yeah..figured.
2 months ago
He Mike49er,
Why don't you go to the 49er blog and chat with those fans? Oh that right, nobody writes about the 49ers. Maybe its the lack of fan base or the apathy to the losing.
write a new comment