Raiders and Aces owner Mark Davis has only been in the Las Vegas Valley for less than a decade but he’s already made enough of an impact to be inducted into two area hall of fames.
Davis, after being inducted into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame last month, added to his accolades by being inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, in a Friday night ceremony at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson.
Also inducted were basketbball coach Tim Grgurich, pro golfer Ryan Moore, basketball coach Mark Warkentien and Cliff Findlay, who received the inaugural Legacy Award
For Davis, who began the push to move the Raiders to Las Vegas in 2016, said it’s not about him, it’s about the team around him that’s helped make Las Vegas an NFL city.
“It’s not about me, it’s about we,” Davis said. “It’s a confirmation of all the things that we put together and all of the people who have worked so hard to get where we are today.”
With the $750 million in public funding that went toward building the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium, many doubted the investment would pay off. The 65,000-fan capacity facility has become the most successful stadium in the U.S. and the second most profitable in the world.
That success has also helped Clark County pay back bonds taken out to pay for the public investment.
“When coming and creating a public-private partnership like we did to build Allegiant Stadium, there was a lot of what ifs,” Davis said. “But it’s turned out to be one of the most profitable stadiums in the world. Absolutely No. 1 in the United States.”
Davis bought the WNBA’s Aces from MGM Resorts International in 2021 and was at the forefront of improving the league and how the players were treated. Davis pushed for better player pay and was the first owner construct a purpose-built WNBA headquarters and practice facility, which cost $50 million.
Now, other WNBA team have followed suit with dedicated team facilities. The team has since won three WNBA titles in four seasonx.
“It wasn’t really a good business decision to do it in the very beginning, but it came from the heart,” Davis said. “I believed in these women and it was great going to the games.
“Sitting next to (MGM Resorts executives) Jim Murren and Bill Hornbuckle I let them know that they needed to pay the players more money. They finally said to me, if you want them to be paid more money, you pay them; buy the team. That’s what I ended up doing.”
The move was so big that now Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Candace Parker said at the facility’s opening that it was the first time in her illustrious career that she had her own locker, according to Davis.
The early doubtful business gamble on investing in the Aces paid off, as the team’s value has skyrocketed from his $1 million investment to a worth of $410 million this year, according to Sportico.
Raider Nation excited for the various additions they made during the offseason, especially brining in No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, Fernando Menodza. Despite the positive fan noise, Davis said he wants to see how the moves translate on the field, before he gets too excited.
“We always win the offseason,” Davis said. “Let’s see what we can do during the season.”
The induction ceremony being held in Henderson is only fitting, as Davis built the Aces and Raiders headquarters in the city and he recently moved into this multi-million-dollar home in Ascaya, about 2 miles away from Lee’s Family Forum.
“Love Henderson, they’ve been wonderful,” Daivs said. “(Former mayor) Debra March started with us and got us the land (for Raiders training facility) and has been unbelievable. And Mayor (Michelle) Romero now is just fantastic.
“We love this neighborhood. … I love Henderson.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
