Is Mark Davis Really the Owner of the Raiders? I Think it May be Carol.

**HOFBoundBrown** · 06-02-2012, 03:06 PM

I have never started a thread on this subject and I have never seen it discussed, but I find it odd that Mark Davis is the owner of the Oakland Raiders (at least in reality). The reason for this is the transfer an organization worth hundreds of millions of dollars would have significant estate tax implications. I cannot imagine the Raiders are nearly close to the healthiest organization in the NFL. I don't know what their cash flow is, but there would be a nice chunk of change involved with Mark Davis being the owner (even knowing that a percentage of the team was sold).

Does anyone think that Carol is probably the owner of the Raiders on paper since you don't have to pay taxes since she is still alive and Mark Davis is just being put out there as the owner as the Oakland Raiders?

**The AzzAzzin** · 06-02-2012, 03:13 PM

Yea she is. This was pretty much common knowledge for the most part and that's why people think mark is trying to sell the team because he is only acting on behalf of his mother but when she passes it will go to him and he will have to pay taxes, which he might not want or be able to do.but for the record,mark said he does not want to sell the team.

**HOFBoundBrown** · 06-02-2012, 03:27 PM

I had always heard Mark referred to as the owner not "the owner acting on behalf to his mom" is why I started this thread.

**The AzzAzzin** · 06-02-2012, 03:53 PM

Its cool,makes no real difference anyways.

**Raidermofojeff** · 06-02-2012, 04:08 PM

Every time I hear that name

The Rolling Stones - Carol (1964) - YouTube

**Raider Ran** · 06-02-2012, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by The AzzAzzin

Yea she is. This was pretty much common knowledge for the most part and that's why people think mark is trying to sell the team because he is only acting on behalf of his mother but when she passes it will go to him and he will have to pay taxes, which he might not want or be able to do.but for the record,mark said he does not want to sell the team.

Carol Davis (who owns Als 35% - 40% of the shares and the only voting and controlling shares) lives in Piedmont which is in Oakland Hills. They are not trying to sell the team and Carol has no plans on moving anywhere thus Mark is trying to get a deal done in Oakland or Dublin. The City and the Raiders are going back to the table in a couple weeks once the environmental impact report is back in and try to hammer out a deal or at least see if it is do able in the current location. Mayor Quan is more determined than ever to keep the team in Oakland since the Warriors are bailing and the A's just suck and want to move to somewhere that they will never be allowed to move to.

**Raidermofojeff** · 06-02-2012, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Raider Ran

Carol Davis (who owns Als 35% - 40% of the shares and the only voting and controlling shares) lives in Piedmont which is in Oakland Hills. They are not trying to sell the team and Carol has no plans on moving anywhere thus Mark is trying to get a deal done in Oakland or Dublin. The City and the Raiders are going back to the table in a couple weeks once the environmental impact report is back in and try to hammer out a deal or at least see if it is do able in the current location. Mayor Quan is more determined than ever to keep the team in Oakland since the Warriors are bailing and the A's just suck and want to move to somewhere that they will never be allowed to move to.

I appreciate your concise post on this often pondered topic.

**Jimi18** · 06-02-2012, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Raider Ran:3709461

Originally Posted by The AzzAzzin

Yea she is. This was pretty much common knowledge for the most part and that's why people think mark is trying to sell the team because he is only acting on behalf of his mother but when she passes it will go to him and he will have to pay taxes, which he might not want or be able to do.but for the record,mark said he does not want to sell the team.

Carol Davis (who owns Als 35% - 40% of the shares and the only voting and controlling shares) lives in Piedmont which is in Oakland Hills. They are not trying to sell the team and Carol has no plans on moving anywhere thus Mark is trying to get a deal done in Oakland or Dublin. The City and the Raiders are going back to the table in a couple weeks once the environmental impact report is back in and try to hammer out a deal or at least see if it is do able in the current location. Mayor Quan is more determined than ever to keep the team in Oakland since the Warriors are bailing and the A's just suck and want to move to somewhere that they will never be allowed to move to.

Is there a Dublin in California? Surely you don't mean Ireland? LoL at least I hope not

**Raider Ran** · 06-02-2012, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jimi18

Is there a Dublin in California? Surely you don't mean Ireland? LoL at least I hope not

Dublin is about 20 miles from Oakland. Has the BART, Freeway and Rail accessibility similar to the Coliseum. Also Dublin has a lot more money in the area. Blackhawk Community where John Madden lives is not far away.

**OrRdrFan** · 06-02-2012, 04:40 PM

Yes there is a Dublin in Cali. It's about 10 miles or so due East of San Leandro.

well crap, nevermind. I type too damn slow. lol

**djh_raider** · 06-02-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by HOFBoundBrown

I have never started a thread on this subject and I have never seen it discussed, but I find it odd that Mark Davis is the owner of the Oakland Raiders (at least in reality). The reason for this is the transfer an organization worth hundreds of millions of dollars would have significant estate tax implications. I cannot imagine the Raiders are nearly close to the healthiest organization in the NFL. I don't know what their cash flow is, but there would be a nice chunk of change involved with Mark Davis being the owner (even knowing that a percentage of the team was sold).

Does anyone think that Carol is probably the owner of the Raiders on paper since you don't have to pay taxes since she is still alive and Mark Davis is just being put out there as the owner as tahe Oakland Raiders?

The term "owner" has never been used with the Raiders. While Mr. Davis was considered the "owner", his title was always "Managing General Partner". There are a lot of legal reasons for this title, and a lot of conjecture. Ran's post of Carol (Al) owing 35-40% of the "shares" is different to my understanding which is the family has the controllong interest of 53% after the last sell off.

Back to topic, on the Raiders website Mark Davis is listed as owner. Al Davis was also listed as the same on the website before his death. The media guide says "Managing General Partner" and give more detail. The 2012 media guide, when released next month or so, will give some interesting detail.

My understanding is that Mark Davis has assumed Al Davis' role as "Managing General Partner". Al certainly left the team to Carol but there are certain provisions that were made late on, for Mark to take over. I cannot say too much for legal reasons, but Al made certain that the team would not be lost from the Davis family by means of estate tax and the like.

**Raider Ran** · 06-02-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by djh_raider

The term "owner" has never been used with the Raiders. While Mr. Davis was considered the "owner", his title was always "Managing General Partner". There are a lot of legal reasons for this title, and a lot of conjecture. Ran's post of Carol (Al) owing 35-40% of the "shares" is different to my understanding which is the family has the controllong interest of 53% after the last sell off.

Back to topic, on the Raiders website Mark Davis is listed as owner. Al Davis was also listed as the same on the website before his death. The media guide says "Managing General Partner" and give more detail. The 2012 media guide, when released next month or so, will give some interesting detail.

My understanding is that Mark Davis has assumed Al Davis' role as "Managing General Partner". Al certainly left the team to Carol but there are certain provisions that were made late on, for Mark to take over. I cannot say too much for legal reasons, but Al made certain that the team would not be lost from the Davis family by means of estate tax and the like.

I could be wrong about the numbers but I think that the Davis family owns under 50% after the sell off. In any case I also are pretty sure Al has set the trusts and paperwork up so that the Davis family will not lose the team to estate tax etc.. I have been told a number of times that there are some silent owners who are trusted members of the organization thus even if the Davis family was under 50% on paper the other shares would keep them over 50%. And remember all of Al's/Davis family shares are the only voting/controlling shares. All other shares are non-voting and purely investors.

**acidwash** · 06-02-2012, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Raider Ran

I could be wrong about the numbers but I think that the Davis family owns under 50% after the sell off. In any case I also are pretty sure Al has set the trusts and paperwork up so that the Davis family will not lose the team to estate tax etc.. I have been told a number of times that there are some silent owners who are trusted members of the organization thus even if the Davis family was under 50% on paper the other shares would keep them over 50%. And remember all of Al's/Davis family shares are the only voting/controlling shares. All other shares are non-voting and purely investors.

Ran you are correct it is under 50% on paper... secondly the sell off that was done a few years back was for this exact situation, Al was preparing their to be enough cashflow within the family that Mark could assume ownership of the family stake without having to borrow additional money or sell off any addiotional portion of the team.

**ottojimotto** · 06-03-2012, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by HOFBoundBrown

I had always heard Mark referred to as the owner not "the owner acting on behalf to his mom" is why I started this thread.

Managing General Partner to the Mom.... :-)

**rhumbob** · 06-03-2012, 01:18 PM

The percentage of ownership doesn't matter. As long as you are the general partner you have all the power. Limited partners could own 99% but they don't necessarily have voting power.

The estate tax angle makes no sense. There are rules where if a business makes up a certain percentage of the estate you can pay the estate tax over 14 years. Say the estae is worth $500mm, then shoot high and say the tax is $250mm, then $250mm / 14 years equals about $18mm per year. Not much money in NFL terms.

The reporting on the financial implications of Al Davis's passing has been abysmal. The bay area news community is worthless. This is a very interesting story as it crosses sports, business, tax and the politics of the estate tax. Report on this? No, sorry...takes expertise, vision, and professionalism. Easier to report on how many reps a kid does at the combine.