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Despite their soaring popularity, the Raiders faced challenges both on and off the field. As their cultural influence surged, on-field performance began to wane. By the mid-90s, the team struggled to maintain its competitive edge, culminating in a downturn in ticket sales and rising negative perceptions linked to their association with street gangs.
As violence and crime infiltrated the culture associated with the Raiders, school districts began banning their merchandise, further distancing the team from its once-prestigious status. In 1995, Al Davis made the controversial decision to relocate the Raiders back to Oakland, marking a significant shift in the team’s trajectory and its relationship with urban culture.