Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders

In recent seasons, the Las Vegas Raiders have reimagined their approach to team conferences—shifting from one-way, coach-or-executive-led talks to dynamic, fan-inclusive events where supporters actively shape the conversation. Whether it’s the annual “Raiders Town Hall” (a post-season review with coaches and front office staff), “Position Group Panels” (featuring players discussing their craft), or “Draft Preview Conferences” (breaking down upcoming picks), intentional fan interaction has transformed these gatherings from routine updates into engaging, community-building experiences. Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the creative ways the team integrates fans into these events—from live Q&As to interactive polls—and how this engagement has deepened trust, boosted attendance, and turned conferences into opportunities to strengthen the bond between the team and its fan base. For a franchise with a legacy of passionate supporter culture, this focus on fan interaction isn’t just a trend; it’s a return to the Raiders’ roots of putting fans at the center of the experience.

Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the team’s flagship fan-inclusive event: the annual Raiders Town Hall, held each January at Allegiant Stadium. Unlike traditional post-season press conferences—where questions come only from media—the Town Hall opens the floor to fans, who submit questions in advance via the official app and vote on which topics get prioritized (e.g., “What adjustments will the offense make next season?” or “How will the team address defensive line depth?”). During the 2025 Town Hall, over 3,000 fans attended in person, with another 15,000 tuning in via live stream, and head coach Josh McDaniels spent 90 minutes answering fan questions directly—including a heartfelt exchange with a 12-year-old fan asking, “What’s the best way to be a leader like Maxx Crosby?” McDaniels’ detailed, personal response (focusing on “hard work and respect for teammates”) went viral on social media, with fans praising the team for making the event feel accessible. “The Town Hall used to be a box-check—now it’s a dialogue,” said Raiders community engagement director Maria Gonzalez. “When fans see that their questions matter, and that coaches are willing to answer honestly, it changes how they perceive the team. It’s no longer ‘us vs. them’; it’s ‘we’re in this together.’”

A standout example of fan interaction elevating conferences, highlighted in Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders, is the team’s “Player Position Panels”—quarterly events where 3-4 players from the same position group (e.g., wide receivers, defensive linemen) sit down with fans to discuss their preparation, on-field challenges, and off-season routines. What sets these panels apart is the “Skill Share” segment, where fans volunteer to participate in light, football-related activities led by players. At a recent wide receivers panel, Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow taught a group of 20 fans how to run a basic slant route, with Adams providing one-on-one feedback on footwork. The panel also included a live poll, where fans voted on “Which route is most exciting to watch?” (deep passes won with 62% of the vote), sparking a playful debate between Adams (who advocates for deep routes) and Renfrow (a slot receiver who defended short, yards-after-catch plays). “These panels aren’t just about players talking—they’re about fans feeling like they’re part of the group,” said Adams. “When a kid gets to run a route with me, or a diehard fan argues with me about route preferences, it’s fun—but it also makes them feel connected to the team in a way they can’t from the stands. That’s the magic of fan interaction.”

Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders also delves into how the team leverages fan input during “Draft Preview Conferences,” turning these events into collaborative strategy sessions rather than one-way briefings. Each April, the Raiders host a Draft Preview at a local Las Vegas venue, where general manager Trent Baalke and scouting director Mark Ellenz walk fans through the team’s draft needs, top prospect targets, and draft-day strategy. But the event’s centerpiece is the “Fan Mock Draft” segment: fans are divided into groups, given a simplified version of the Raiders’ draft board, and tasked with picking a prospect for the team’s first-round pick. After each group presents their choice (and explains their reasoning), Baalke and Ellenz provide feedback—discussing why the pick makes sense, or what factors the group might have missed (e.g., salary cap fit, scheme compatibility). At the 2025 Draft Preview, one fan group’s pick of a defensive tackle aligned with the Raiders’ actual first-round selection, and Baalke invited the group on stage to celebrate when the pick was announced during the real draft. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this interactive element turns draft talk from “speculation” into “participation,” making fans feel like they have a stake in the team’s future. “The draft can feel abstract to fans—like it’s something that happens behind closed doors,” Baalke said. “When they get to ‘pick’ a prospect and hear why it works (or doesn’t), it demystifies the process. They leave the conference not just knowing our draft plans, but feeling like they helped shape them.”

Another key way fan interaction boosts conferences, explored in Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders, is through post-event feedback loops that let fans influence future gatherings. After every conference—whether in-person or virtual—the Raiders send a short survey to attendees asking about their favorite segments, topics they want more of, and how the team can improve interactivity. For example, after fans requested “more access to rookies” in a 2024 survey, the team added a “Rookie Roundtable” to the 2025 Town Hall, where first-year players answered questions about adjusting to the NFL and life in Las Vegas. When fans noted that virtual attendees felt “left out” of in-person activities, the Raiders added a live chat feature where virtual fans could submit questions in real time (with a staff member reading them aloud to panelists). These adjustments have paid off: attendance at in-person conferences has increased by 40% since 2023, and virtual viewership has doubled, with fans citing “feeling heard” as a top reason for participating. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this feedback-driven approach ensures that conferences evolve with fan needs—keeping the events fresh, relevant, and truly inclusive. “Conferences shouldn’t be static,” Gonzalez said. “If fans tell us they want more rookies, or better virtual access, we listen. That’s how you keep people coming back—you show them that their opinions shape what we do.”

Looking ahead, Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders outlines how the team plans to expand fan engagement in future conferences, including “Hybrid Fan Panels” (where a mix of in-person and virtual fans join players on stage) and “Position-Specific Clinics” (extension of the position panels, where fans get hands-on tips from players, like kicking drills with the special teams unit). The Raiders are also testing a “Fan Advisory Board”—a group of 20 diverse supporters who will meet quarterly with team staff to help design conference agendas, ensuring that events reflect the interests of the broader fan base (from long-time season-ticket holders to young, new fans). For the Las Vegas Raiders, these plans are rooted in a simple belief: the best conferences aren’t just about sharing information—they’re about building community. “Our fans are the heart of this franchise,” McDaniels said. “When we let them ask questions, vote on topics, or even ‘draft’ a prospect, we’re not just boosting a conference—we’re strengthening the bond between the team and the people who cheer for us every week. That’s the kind of connection that lasts longer than any single game or season.”

Fan Interaction Boosts Conferences for the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately tells a story of how intentional, creative fan engagement can transform routine team events into meaningful, memorable experiences. By opening up Q&As, adding interactive activities, leveraging fan input, and prioritizing accessibility, the Raiders have turned conferences from “must-attend for diehards” to “can’t-miss for any fan.” These events no longer just share updates—they build trust, foster belonging, and remind fans that they’re an integral part of the Raiders’ story. In a league where teams often struggle to connect with supporters beyond game day, the Raiders’ focus on fan interaction in conferences stands out as a model for how to turn passive spectators into active members of the team’s community. As the franchise continues to grow in Las Vegas, these fan-inclusive conferences will remain a cornerstone of its commitment to putting fans first—proving that when fans feel heard, everyone wins.