Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones
Born	Jerral Wayne Jones Sr. 13 10, 1942
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman, sports team owner
Known for	Owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys
Education	University of Arkansas (B.A.)
Awards	Pro Football Hall of Fame (2017), Horatio Alger Award, NFL Executive of the Year

Jerral Wayne Jones Sr. (born October 13, 1942) is an American billionaire businessman who serves as the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). A former college football player who co-captained the University of Arkansas 1964 national championship team, Jones parlayed his background in sports and business into one of the most consequential ownership tenures in professional football history. He purchased the Cowboys in 1989 for $140 million and oversaw a period of dominance that produced three Super Bowl victories in a four-year span during the 1990s. His decision to serve simultaneously as owner and general manager has made him one of the most visible and debated figures in American professional sports. Under his stewardship, the Dallas Cowboys grew into what is frequently valued as the most valuable sports franchise in the world, with an estimated worth of approximately $10 billion. Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to the league as an owner and executive.

Early Life

Jerry Jones was born on October 13, 1942, in Los Angeles, California. His family relocated to North Little Rock, Arkansas, during his childhood, where he was raised. His parents were proprietors of an independent grocery store, a business background that would later inform Jones's entrepreneurial instincts and commercial acumen.

Jones attended North Little Rock High School, where he played football as a running back. He was a notable player during his high school years, developing the competitive drive and understanding of the sport that would shape his later career both on and off the field. Jones graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1960.

Following his graduation, the Jones family relocated to Springfield, Missouri, where his father established and led a successful insurance company. This move marked a significant transition for the family from the grocery business to the financial services industry. The elder Jones's success in the insurance business provided a foundation for the family's growing wealth and business expertise, and young Jerry Jones would later join the enterprise as he began his own professional career.

Education

Jones enrolled at the University of Arkansas, where he combined academic pursuits with a distinguished college football career. He played on the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1962 to 1964 and rose to become a co-captain of the squad. The highlight of his collegiate athletic career came during the 1964 season, when the Razorbacks won the national championship. Jones's experience as a co-captain of a championship-caliber team provided him with firsthand knowledge of what it took to build and lead a winning football organization — lessons he would later apply as an NFL owner.

His time at Arkansas also connected him with future coaching figures who would play important roles in his professional life. Jones graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree.

Career

Early Business Career

After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Jones entered the business world through his family's enterprises. He became an executive vice president at his father's insurance company in Springfield, Missouri, gaining experience in corporate management and financial operations. The insurance company had become a successful venture under his father's leadership, and Jones's role allowed him to develop skills in business administration that would prove essential in his future endeavors.

Following the sale of the family insurance company, the Jones family established Buena Vista Animal Paradise, diversifying their business interests. Jones continued to build his business portfolio and accumulated significant wealth through various ventures, including investments in the oil and gas industry. His success in the energy sector, in particular, provided the financial resources that would eventually enable him to pursue his ambition of owning an NFL franchise.

Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys

In February 1989, Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys from H.R. "Bum" Bright for $140 million, a transaction that would reshape both the franchise and the broader NFL landscape. The purchase was one of the largest sports transactions of its era and signaled Jones's intent to be a hands-on owner unlike many of his counterparts in the league.

One of Jones's first and most consequential decisions as the new owner was to dismiss legendary head coach Tom Landry, who had led the Cowboys since the franchise's inception in 1960 and had become synonymous with the team's identity. Jones replaced Landry with Jimmy Johnson, his former college teammate at the University of Arkansas. The firing of Landry, who was beloved by fans and widely respected across the football world, generated intense criticism and backlash directed at Jones. Many fans and media commentators viewed the decision as disrespectful to a figure who had built the Cowboys into "America's Team." Jones also dismissed longtime general manager Tex Schramm and assumed the general manager role himself — a dual function of owner and GM that would become one of the defining and most debated aspects of his tenure.

Super Bowl Era

Despite the initial backlash, Jones's partnership with Johnson produced rapid and remarkable results on the field. The Cowboys underwent a dramatic rebuilding process, highlighted by the franchise-altering trade of running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings, which netted Dallas a haul of draft picks and players that formed the nucleus of a championship roster.

Under Johnson's coaching and Jones's management, the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVII following the 1992 season and Super Bowl XXVIII following the 1993 season, establishing a modern dynasty. However, the relationship between Jones and Johnson deteriorated, fueled by disputes over credit for the team's success and philosophical differences about the direction of the franchise. Johnson departed after the second consecutive Super Bowl victory.

Jones then hired Barry Switzer as head coach, and the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX following the 1995 season, giving the franchise three championships in four years. The three Super Bowl victories during the 1990s cemented Jones's legacy as an owner who could deliver championships, even as his critics questioned whether the success was attributable more to Johnson's coaching and personnel decisions than to Jones's own football acumen.

Jones notably mended his long-strained relationship with Johnson in 2023, when he inducted his former head coach into the Cowboys Ring of Honor, publicly acknowledging Johnson's contributions to the franchise's championship run.

Role as General Manager

Jones's insistence on serving as the Cowboys' general manager, in addition to his role as owner and president, has been one of the most discussed aspects of his leadership. Unlike most NFL team owners, who hire professional general managers to oversee football operations, Jones has retained direct control over personnel decisions, including the NFL Draft, free agency acquisitions, and coaching hires.

This approach has drawn both praise and criticism over the decades. Supporters point to the three Super Bowl victories achieved under his watch and the franchise's extraordinary financial growth. Critics, however, note that the Cowboys have not returned to the Super Bowl since the 1995 season, a drought of three decades, and argue that Jones's refusal to delegate football decisions to a dedicated general manager has hampered the team's on-field competitiveness.

Jones was named NFL Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), an acknowledgment of his contributions to the league's business operations and team management.

Business Innovations and NFL Influence

Beyond his management of the Cowboys' on-field product, Jones has been a transformative figure in the business of professional football. He played a significant role in negotiating and securing lucrative television broadcast deals that contributed substantially to the NFL's financial prosperity and the revenue shared among all league franchises. His understanding of branding, marketing, and corporate partnerships helped elevate the economic model of the NFL during a period of rapid growth in the sports industry.

Jones was instrumental in the development and construction of AT&T Stadium (originally Cowboys Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, which opened in 2009. The state-of-the-art facility, with its iconic retractable roof and massive video display board, became a venue for not only Cowboys games but also Super Bowls, college football championships, concerts, and other major events. The stadium represented Jones's vision for a multipurpose entertainment destination and set new standards for NFL stadiums.

Jones also influenced league policy on franchise relocation. He played a key role in the NFL's decision to allow the St. Louis Rams to relocate to Los Angeles in 2016, a move that reshaped the league's geographic footprint and had significant financial implications for multiple franchises.

His marketing acumen extended to corporate sponsorship deals, including partnerships with major brands. Jones's approach to monetizing the Cowboys brand independently of the league's collective agreements occasionally put him at odds with other NFL owners and the league office, but it also demonstrated his willingness to push boundaries in pursuit of revenue generation.

Controversies and Fines

Jones's high visibility and outspoken nature have led to several controversies and disciplinary actions from the NFL. In 2009, the league fined Jones $100,000 for public comments regarding collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, deeming his remarks a violation of league policy on public discussion of labor issues.

Jones has also faced fines from the NFL for public comments regarding officiating, reflecting his willingness to voice criticism of league operations even when doing so carries financial penalties. His confrontational style with the league office, including public disputes with Commissioner Roger Goodell, has made him a polarizing figure among owners and league officials.

The website firejerryjones.com emerged as a platform for disgruntled fans to express their frustrations with Jones's management of the Cowboys, illustrating the depth of fan sentiment regarding his dual role as owner and general manager. Jones's management style has also been satirized in popular culture, including in the animated television series South Park, which featured a portrayal of Jones alongside NFL Commissioner Goodell.

Recent Ownership Activities

As of early 2026, Jones continues to serve as owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. The team's offseason activities have included roster decisions and free agency signings, with Jones publicly pledging an aggressive approach to team-building. Following a contract with running back Javonte Williams, media analysts noted that Jones still had considerable work ahead to build a competitive roster for the upcoming season. Jones's stated intention to "bust the budget" in the 2026 offseason has been met with both optimism and skepticism from fans and commentators, with some noting a gap between his public rhetoric and the team's actual spending patterns in recent years.

The Cowboys' offseason plans have been reported to center on retaining wide receiver George Pickens, with multiple outlets noting that any version of the Cowboys as a contending team in 2026 includes Pickens on the roster. Jones's hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator has been cited as a signal of organizational change.

Personal Life

Jones and his family have been closely associated with the Dallas Cowboys organization. His daughter, Charlotte Jones Anderson, has held executive positions within the franchise, serving in roles related to the team's brand management, community outreach, and business operations. Jones's sons, Stephen Jones and Jerry Jones Jr., have also served in executive capacities with the franchise, making the Cowboys one of the most prominent family-operated organizations in professional sports.

Jones underwent hip replacement surgery, with the Dallas Morning News reporting that he received assurances that he would not be placed on a "PUP list" — a reference made in jest to the NFL's Physically Unable to Perform designation — following the procedure.

Jones's estimated net worth has been reported at approximately $17 billion, placing him among the wealthiest individuals in the United States. The vast majority of his wealth is attributed to his ownership of the Dallas Cowboys and his various business interests in oil and gas, real estate, and other sectors.

Recognition

Jones has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career in business and professional sports.

In 2017, Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as a contributor to the sport. His enshrinement recognized his impact on the NFL as an owner and executive, including his role in the Cowboys' three Super Bowl championships and his contributions to the league's television and marketing revenue. His induction ceremony at Canton was noted as a significant moment in the recognition of ownership and executive contributions to the sport, as distinct from on-field achievements.

Jones received the Horatio Alger Award, which is presented to individuals who have overcome adversity to achieve success in their respective fields. The award recognized Jones's entrepreneurial journey from modest beginnings to billionaire sports owner.

He was also named a recipient of the Distinguished Texan Award by the National Football Foundation, recognizing his contributions to the state of Texas and to the sport of football.

Jones was named NFL Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, an honor acknowledging his contributions to the league's operations and his management of the Cowboys franchise.

Additionally, Jones received the Ducks Unlimited Sportsman's Award, recognizing his involvement in wildlife conservation and outdoor sporting activities.

Legacy

Jerry Jones's legacy in professional football is defined by a combination of on-field success, business innovation, and enduring controversy. His purchase of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 and subsequent management of the franchise transformed the team from a declining organization into one of the most valuable and recognizable sports brands in the world. Under his ownership, the Cowboys' estimated value grew from the $140 million purchase price to approximately $10 billion, an appreciation that reflects both the growth of the NFL as a commercial enterprise and Jones's own business strategies.

The three Super Bowl victories achieved during the 1990s remain the centerpiece of Jones's football legacy, demonstrating his ability to assemble championship-caliber rosters during the early years of his ownership. His willingness to make bold, unpopular decisions — most notably the firing of Tom Landry and the hiring of Jimmy Johnson — proved vindicated by the results on the field, even if those decisions permanently alienated some segments of the Cowboys fanbase.

Jones's influence extended well beyond the Cowboys. His role in negotiating television contracts, his advocacy for new stadium construction standards, and his involvement in franchise relocation decisions helped shape the modern NFL's business model. His approach to team ownership — combining the roles of owner, president, and general manager — challenged conventional wisdom about the separation of business and football operations, even as it generated sustained debate about its effectiveness.

As a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jones's place in the history of the sport is formally established. His dual identity as both a former college football player and a successful NFL owner gives him a unique perspective among league owners. Whether viewed as a transformative business leader or a controversial figure who has prioritized control over delegation, Jones remains one of the most influential figures in the history of the Dallas Cowboys and the National Football League.