Jerry Jones acquired the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, investing $140 million earned from his successful ventures in the oil industry. Today, the team commands a global valuation of $15.5 billion, making it the most valuable sports franchise worldwide. Under Jones’s leadership, the Cowboys have secured three Super Bowl victories and achieved a significant status in professional sports as “America’s Team.”
As Jerry approaches his 84th birthday in October, health issues have emerged in recent years, prompting questions about the future of the team’s ownership. Notably, Jerry has no definite succession plan. In an interview with Zak Keefer from The Athletic, Jones stated, “I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t. One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”
While Jerry shows no intention of distancing himself from the brand he has cultivated, indicators point towards his son, Stephen Jones, as his successor. Stephen, 62, holds positions as co-owner, CEO, and director of player personnel, having dedicated most of his life to the franchise. With substantial involvement in organizational decisions, he emerges as the likely candidate to continue Jerry’s legacy.
Troy Aikman, former Cowboys quarterback and Hall of Famer, remarked, “From my interactions with him, Stephen doesn’t have the ego his father has. That’ll serve him well.”
Presently, Jerry remains at the forefront of the franchise, emphasizing the restoration of the Cowboys’ dominance in the NFL. Their last Super Bowl win was in 1995, prompting aggressive roster changes in pursuit of championship titles. Jerry expressed his lifelong ambition in January, stating, “My goal in life is to retire as the owner that won the most Super Bowls.” Currently, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, holds this distinction with six Super Bowl championships, exceeding Jerry’s three. Thus, pressure mounts on Jones and the Cowboys to narrow the gap.
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