Al Davis Dead: Son Mark Davis to Assume Control of Oakland Raiders

Longtime Raiders owner Al Davis has died at the age of 82. What will the passing of one of football’s most recognizable and assertive owners mean for the future of the franchise with which he became synonymous?

The San Jose Mercury News reports (via Twitter) that control of the team passes to Davis’ son Mark. That fact leaves Oakland fans with as many questions as answers.

The younger Davis has, of course, grown up around his father’s team and has, in recent years, been repeatedly mentioned as the heir apparent. He does not, however, hold any official position with the team (at least according to the administration listings on the team website).

Mark Davis has been more visible with the Raiders this season, including making more of an appearance at training camp than he had done previously. But he does not give the impression of being either the forceful personality or the hands-on administrator that his father was.

In all probability, CEO Amy Trask and head coach Hue Jackson (who were already taking on some of the decision-making responsibilities as Al's health declined) will handle more of the day-to-day operations than Mark Davis ever will.

Of course, considering that Trask and Jackson were hand-picked by the elder Davis, fans shouldn't expect any sudden breaks from the philosophy that has guided the franchise for nearly five decades.

As much flak as Al Davis took for being behind the times, the on-field product appears to be moving in the right direction as fast as Darren McFadden can carry it. There might be a little less emphasis on pure speed, which resulted in highly-criticized draft picks like Stanford Routt and Darrius Heyward-Bey, but on the whole, the Raiders will still be the Raiders, even without Al Davis at the helm.

Mark Davis may not be as sensational an owner as his father—and who could be?—but he's not about to do any harm to the legacy of "Just win, baby."