When Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys Feb. 25 1989, their previous owner, Harvey Roberts “Bum” Bright, valued them at $140 million dollars.
Now, 25 years later, the team Jones built is worth an NFL-leading $2.3 billion dollars and has been first-place on Forbes’ NFL Team Values list for seven straight years.
The Cowboys were also a terrific team on the field in the mid-1990s and won three Super Bowls during Jones’ tenure (1992, 1993, 1995). Hall of Famers like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin made their careers under Jones and built the Cowboys into a dynasty.
However, most of the team’s success was during Jones’ first seven years as the owner, president and general manager. In fact, since the start of the 1997 season, the Cowboys have generated a regular-season record of 136-136, including three straight seasons of 8-8.
Critics say he may never build another championship team unless he gives up some of his power and hires a real, qualified general manager. Jones hopes to win a Super Bowl and return his team to relevance, but wants the glory of being the man behind the plan.
Although he has taken a lot of heat for his unique and stubborn ownership-style, Jones, 71, should be credited for building “America’s Team” and his impact on the NFL.
The Cowboys stadium naming rights deal with AT&T; was for a record $400 million and the Cowboys are the only team in the league that opted to distribute and control its merchandise supply chain.
Jones has influenced the league to capitalize on its financial success and built one of the most recognizable names in sports.
Jones has tried to build a family atmosphere with the Cowboys organization and hired all three of his kids, Stephen, Charlotte and Jerry, Jr., to work for him. Jerry Jr. actually earned his law degree from SMU and serves as the Cowboys’ vice president.
The team has been around for 54 years now, but it was the 25 years with Jones as the owner where they became an NFL dynasty.
Even if he retires without ever winning another ring, Jones should be praised and appreciated for his role in bringing the Cowboys and the NFL to relevance.
