MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis attended Monday’s College Football Playoff national championship at Hard Rock Stadium, with the team holding the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL draft. The potential top selection, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, was playing in the game.
Davis watched warm-ups from the sidelines alongside minority owner Tom Brady, standing about 15 feet from the Heisman Trophy winner. When asked why he was at the game, Davis said, “There’s two really good quarterbacks in this game and I’m really interested in seeing them both play. I’ve been watching Carson Beck for four or five years now, so I’ve seen his growth and his development. And obviously, Fernando.”
Davis declined to discuss the Raiders’ ongoing head coaching search, which included an interview with former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Monday. He also deferred questions about how character factors into draft evaluation to Brady and general manager John Spytek. Brady declined to comment on the draft.
After the game, Mendoza said he was unaware Davis and Brady were watching. “Oh, I did not see them,” Mendoza said. “But I appreciate them coming.”
Davis also noted that he watched Aces stars Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray play in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league the previous night. Looking ahead, he expressed excitement about Allegiant Stadium hosting the 2027 CFP championship, noting that fans in the domed stadium won’t have to deal with cold weather. “Well, we know what the weather will be, at least inside,” Davis said. “I’m excited about it.”
