During the last eight years, there hasn’t been much to cheer about for Oakland Raider fans.  The one consistent bright spot over the past seven consecutive losing seasons? The Raiderettes.  Football’s Fabulous Females, as they are often referred to, have been a silver-and-black lining to the storm clouds that have covered the franchise since its last trip to the playoffs, way back in 2002.
To be perfectly honest, there were many times during the disastrous dark ages of the JaMarcus Russell era when one wished the TV cameras would cut from the dysfunctional Oakland offense – and its overweight, overpaid, underperforming quarterback – and zoom in nice and tight on the Raiderettes instead.

However, things are looking up in 2010. The Raiders currently have a 3-0 exhibition season record and both the defense and the offense looked impressive in the Aug. 20 victory over the Chicago Bears. It’s enough to raise hopes that the team will be once again be competitive in the upcoming season.

The subtraction of Russell, the addition of quarterback Jason Campbell and both a promising draft and key veteran free-agent signings seem to have resulted in a renewed spirit for the silver-and-black attack. Yet, as any real sports fan knows, team spirit truly begins with the cheerleaders.

That point became well evident on Aug. 19, at the release party for the 2011 Raiderettes calendar. The party was one which had apparently been on the calendar of the Raider Nation itself for quite some time. The line stretching on to the sidewalk in front of the Fox Theater had much more glamour, glitz and feminine pulchritude than the rock concerts the venue typically hosts. Many former Raiderettes were reportedly in attendance, along with what appeared to be large numbers of the local model and aspiring model community. Limos pulled up to the curb carrying former players, current Raiders and team executives.

Inside, hardcore fans, some dressed head-to-toe in team apparel, bellied up to the sushi bar, as well as the cash bar. There was no mistaking that this was an official Raiders event.

As the anticipation built, it became obvious that the Raiderettes were almost as big a deal to the Raider Nation as the team itself. When the lights dimmed and the cheerleaders hit the stage, one could see why: the Raiderettes were absolutely stunning. Every last one of them.

The squad consisted of many typical cheerleader types – blonde and long-legged – yet there were just as many brunettes and a few redheads, as well as Latina, Asian and African-American members.  After some stage patter from emcee Mike Nelson (aka DJ No Name), the current squad, 36 members strong, wowed – and we do mean wowed – the crowd with both their supple, athletic moves and their skimpy outfits, which were enough to make any Raider Nationalist worth his Kenny Stabler throwback jersey scream “yaaargh, matey!”

There was a brief question-and-answer session with No Name, which introduced the individual ladies, but didn’t reveal much, other than the Raiderettes smile a lot, have a healthy attitude towards life and take their job – and the commitment to community-oriented events it entails – very seriously. This was followed by individual line performances from the four subdivisions of nine Raiderettes each, which allowed the ladies to showcase even more of their classy, sassy, perfectly synchronized dance routines.

There was a brief break, during which DJ Raw B spun tunes  – The Commodores’ “Brick House” being particularly appropriate. After the break and some remarks by Raiderette Director/Choreographer Vandana Patel, the Raiderettes returned, this time in elegant black-and-silver evening dresses.  The Raiderettes assembled in two groups, one on either side of the stage. One by one, the ladies were spotlighted to wide applause, as their sultry yet tasteful calendar images were projected on a big screen.

How hot was the exhibition? Good enough for game time, let’s just say. When the Raiderettes started, the large area at the front of the stage was empty, patrolled by just one official photographer, who attempted to shoo encroaching shutterbugs away. By the time the performance had finished, not only was every photographer with a digital SLR snapping away like crazy from the stage’s lip, but dozens of audience members clutching point-and-shoots had joined them. After each of the Raiderettes had had a chance to strut their stuff, it was clear that the team slogans “pride and poise” and “commitment to excellence” didn’t just apply to the Raiders players alone.

So, why be a Raiderette? Besides the obvious perks, it’s a good career move. Many former Raiderettes have gone on to success in the fitness, acting and modeling worlds, including MADtv cast member Anjelah Johnson, 90210’s Kelli Brook, ESPN body sculptor Kiana Tom and Playboy models Danielle Gamba and Patty Breton. Additionally, former Raiderette Jeanette Thompson is the reporter for the Raiders online news show, “Behind the Shield.” 

Besides, can anyone even remember the name of the 49ers cheerleading squad? Feel free to get back to us on that. We’ll be here all week. Seriously.

Even for non-football fans, the Raiderettes are a very good reason to get up on Sundays. And if they can boost fan morale at the Coliseum during games the way they did at the Fox, the Raiders definitely have a chance at going undefeated at home this season.