What happened: Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale are set to star as former head coach John Madden and longtime owner Al Davis in an upcoming feature project. Bale recently spoke on Davis, highlighting his feared reputation and his steadfast commitment to the motto that once someone was a Raider, they were always a Raider. The high-profile project has reignited debate across football over which titan represents the true heart of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Why it matters: While Davis constructed the organization and cultivated its renegade image, Madden translated that vision into consistent excellence on the sideline. Madden gave the franchise credibility during its championship era before becoming the defining ambassador of the sport itself. Davis may have owned the team, but Madden established the enduring standard for the Las Vegas Raiders.