NFL Antitrust Suit Falls

On May 7, 1982, a landmark decision by a California federal jury reshaped the landscape of the National Football League (NFL). The jury ruled that the NFL had violated antitrust laws by attempting to prevent the Oakland Raiders, under the ownership of Al Davis, from relocating to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Al Davis, a pivotal figure in professional football, sought to move his franchise to the larger Los Angeles market. However, the NFL, led by Commissioner Pete Rozelle, opposed the move, favoring the team's continued presence in Oakland. This clash of interests led to a legal battle that culminated in a six-woman federal jury unanimously siding with Al Davis. The jury's decision effectively removed the legal obstacles that had hindered the Raiders' relocation plans.

This ruling paved the way for the Raiders to establish a new home in Los Angeles. The team played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 1982 through the 1994 season. After that period, the Raiders returned to Oakland, where they remained until 2019. The Raiders then moved to Las Vegas and are known today as the Las Vegas Raiders. The 1982 decision was a watershed moment in NFL history, asserting a team's right to relocate and challenging the league's control over franchise movement.

info and banner image courtesy of Newspapers.com, Florida Today Sat, May 08, 1982 ·Page 1C