What Is Mark Davis’ Net Worth?
Mark Davis, an American professional sports owner and businessman, boasts a substantial net worth of $2 billion as of March 2025. This considerable wealth primarily stems from his ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders (formerly the Oakland Raiders) of the National Football League (NFL) and the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). His father, the late Al Davis, bequeathed him the Raiders, marking a pivotal moment in his career and significantly contributing to his current financial standing. He also inherited the controlling interest in the Raiders with his mother Carol Davis, although they only own 47% of the team.
The Raiders’ Ascent and Mark Davis’s Role
Upon Al Davis’s death in 2011, the Oakland Raiders were valued at an estimated $750 million. Mark Davis stepped into the role of principal owner and managing partner, overseeing the team’s day-to-day operations. Under his leadership, the Raiders franchise experienced exponential growth. As of today, the Las Vegas Raiders are estimated to be worth between $6 billion and $7 billion. This massive increase in value is due to the team’s relocation to Las Vegas, which greatly enhanced the team’s revenue. Mark Davis played an integral role in orchestrating the move to Las Vegas, navigating complex negotiations and securing the necessary approvals from the NFL. This relocation and new stadium deal have been significant catalysts for the team’s financial success, adding significantly to Mark Davis’s net worth.
Davis was determined to find a suitable location to construct a new stadium for the Raiders because the team’s lease at the Oakland Coliseum was almost up and the venue had numerous issues due to its age. Davis initially wanted to keep the team in Oakland, but in February 2015, he revealed that they were working with Dean Spanos, the owner of the San Diego Chargers, to develop a shared stadium in Carson, California, which is located in Los Angeles County. Their plan was unsuccessful because Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Los Angeles Rams, had a better proposal. Davis later sought a stadium in Las Vegas with Sheldon Adelson, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, but after the financing was secured, he proceeded with the agreement without Adelson’s involvement. The NFL approved the Raiders’ relocation to Las Vegas in March 2017.
Ventures Beyond Football: The Las Vegas Aces
In January 2021, Mark Davis broadened his sports ownership portfolio by acquiring the Las Vegas Aces, a WNBA team, from MGM Resorts International. The NBA and WNBA authorized the transaction the following month. Davis had been a season ticket holder before becoming the team’s owner. He appointed Becky Hammon as the Aces’ head coach in May 2021, making her the highest-paid coach in the league, with her salary being over $1 million per season. This acquisition not only demonstrates Davis’s commitment to expanding his influence in the sports industry but also provides an additional revenue stream that contributes to his overall net worth. While the financial details of the Aces’ purchase remain private, owning a successful WNBA franchise further solidifies Davis’s position as a prominent figure in professional sports. It is worth noting that the Aces won the WNBA championship in both 2022 and 2023, increasing the team’s value.
Davis’s leadership of the Aces has been lauded for prioritizing player development and attracting top talent. For example, in 2023, the Las Vegas Aces became the first WNBA team in over 20 years to repeat as champions, leading to increased merchandise sales and ticket revenue, adding to Mark Davis’s income. Mark Davis’s ability to make strategic investments, such as hiring Becky Hammon, has proved that he is not just focused on football.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Mark Davis was born on May 18, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York. While some biographical sources previously indicated his birthplace as Charleston, South Carolina, Davis clarified in a 2020 interview with “The Post and Courier” that he was born in Brooklyn while his mother was visiting her parents. He subsequently returned to Charleston with his family. He is the son of Al Davis, the legendary coach and executive of the Raiders. His early exposure to the world of professional football undoubtedly shaped his career path and provided a foundation for his future success.
Davis graduated from California State University, Chico. Before assuming ownership of the Raiders, he was involved in developing Raider Image stores, the team’s official merchandise outlets. Davis also gained experience in the team’s equipment department. In 1986, he developed muff-style hand warmers for football players, demonstrating his ingenuity and practical understanding of the game’s needs. In 1980, he represented Cliff Branch, a member of the Raiders, in contract negotiations, and got Branch an annuity that lasted until his death. Al subsequently kicked Mark out of his house, and after the Raiders moved to Los Angeles, Davis lived with Branch. Mark’s diverse experiences within the Raiders organization provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the team’s operations, from retail and equipment management to player relations and contract negotiations.
Personal Life and Lifestyle
Mark Davis considers himself a food connoisseur, listing Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach, Dan Tana’s in Los Angeles, and P.F. Chang’s among his favorite restaurants. Davis drives a “white 1997 Dodge Caravan SE outfitted with a bubble-top Mark III conversion kit, a VHS player mounted to the roof inside and a r8hers personalized plate.” Davis, who is known to be a “lifelong bachelor,” gave up alcohol 15 years earlier. He also said, “I’ll go back to drinking if we win the Super Bowl or I get married. The first one will be because I’ll want to, the second because I’ll have to.” His preference for simple pleasures and his abstinence from alcohol highlight a contrast with the extravagant lifestyles often associated with wealthy sports owners.
In August 2014, Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers was arrested for domestic violence, Mark spoke out about the issue, saying that “if somebody’s accused or arrested in a domestic violence case, they should be suspended with pay” while an investigation is underway. On the subject of NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem to protest police brutality toward African-Americans, Davis originally preferred that players abstain from protesting while wearing their Raiders uniforms, but he changed his mind after Donald Trump called players who protested “Sons of Bitches” and called for their firing. Mark stated, “I can no longer ask our team not to say something while they are in a Raider uniform. The only thing I can ask them to do is do it with class. Do it with pride. Not only do we have to tell people there is something wrong, we have to come up with answers. That’s the challenge that’s in front of us as Americans and as human beings.”
In May 2018, he declined to take part in an NFL owner resolution about the protests that said players would be required to stay in the locker room during the anthem if they don’t want to stand for the anthem and that the team would be fined if any players kneeled or raised their fists. In April 2022, Davis said he would welcome Colin Kaepernick to the Raiders “with open arms.” These instances show how Davis is concerned with political issues.
Real Estate Investments
Mark Davis has made significant investments in real estate, particularly in Nevada. In August 2020, he purchased a 6.32-acre lot for $6 million in the Ascaya private luxury community. He is constructing a 15,046-square-foot mega-mansion on this property, mirroring the design of the Raiders’ practice facility, headquarters, and Allegiant Stadium. According to city permits, the mansion will feature five bedrooms and ten bathrooms, with an estimated value of $14 million. The annual property taxes for the mansion are estimated to be around $140,000.
As his mega-mansion was under construction, Davis acquired a 2,800-square-foot condo in Summerlin, Nevada, in March 2021 for $5.3 million. This two-bedroom condo came with a monthly homeowner’s association (HOA) fee exceeding $35,000. Davis sold this condo in January 2023 for $10 million, a $3.5 million discount from his initial asking price of $13.5 million. The sale of the condo yielded a profit of $4.7 million for Davis. These real estate transactions demonstrate Davis’s willingness to invest in high-end properties, further contributing to his overall wealth. He is known to have sold the property for 10 million after having invested only 5.3 million.
Net Worth Milestones
Mark Davis’s net worth has experienced significant milestones over the years, largely driven by the increasing value of the Las Vegas Raiders. Upon inheriting the team in 2011, the Raiders were valued at $750 million. The team’s relocation to Las Vegas and the construction of Allegiant Stadium have been transformative events, propelling the franchise’s value to an estimated $6-7 billion. This appreciation in value has directly translated into a substantial increase in Mark Davis’s net worth, solidifying his position among the wealthiest sports owners in the world. As of today, Mark Davis’s net worth is around $2 billion.
In March 2017, the NFL approved the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas. In January 2021, Mark purchased the WNBA team the Las Vegas Aces from MGM Resorts International, and the deal was approved by the NBA and WNBA the following month. In May 2021, he hired Becky Hammon to be the head coach of the Aces, and she became the league’s highest-paid coach.