Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has amassed a fortune of $16.1 billion through his business ventures and savvy investment in America’s most valuable sports franchise. The 82-year-old businessman, who purchased the Cowboys for $150 million in 1989, has transformed the team into a $10 billion powerhouse despite not winning a Super Bowl since 1996.
Born in Los Angeles in 1942, Jones moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas at age three. His business acumen developed early while working in his parents’ grocery store, Pat’s Super Market, starting at age nine. After playing football at the University of Arkansas, where he was co-captain of the 1964 national championship team, Jones earned his business degree in 1965 and later completed a master’s degree in 1970.
Jones’s entrepreneurial journey began with small investments in oil wells and selling life insurance while still in college. After graduation, he joined his father’s insurance company, Modern Security Line, before launching his own oil and gas venture in 1971. An early attempt to purchase the San Diego Chargers was thwarted by his father’s advice against taking on excessive debt.
The Cowboys ownership represents the crown jewel of Jones’s business empire, with he and his wife Gene controlling 51% while their three children equally share the remaining 49%. Under his leadership, the franchise generates substantial revenue, including $1.2 billion in the 2023 season, with $314 million allocated to player expenses. Recent notable investments include quarterback Dak Prescott’s four-year, $240 million contract.
Beyond football, Jones maintains significant interests in retail and residential property development around Dallas, plus substantial holdings in crude oil and natural gas exploration. His family owns 71% of Comstock Resources, and his portfolio includes Papa John’s pizzeria franchises and a hospitality management company.
As both owner and general manager, Jones’s hands-on approach to running the Cowboys has drawn criticism from fans, particularly given the team’s championship drought. However, he remains committed to maintaining control of football operations, stating he won’t relinquish the general manager position while he owns the team.
Jones’s wealth extends to personal luxuries, including an extensive fine art collection displayed throughout AT&T Stadium. Notable pieces include works by modern artist Anish Kapoor and Norman Rockwell’s “The Coin Toss,” which Jones purchased from Ross Perot for $1 million shortly after acquiring the Cowboys. In 2019, he reportedly added a $250 million yacht to his collection of assets.
The businessman’s success story reflects lessons learned from early financial challenges, particularly in real estate investments where negative cash flow taught him valuable principles he later applied to the Cowboys’ operations. Upon taking control of the franchise, Jones focused on reducing overhead costs while maximizing revenue through sponsorships and other initiatives.
Despite ranking lower in wealth than Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, who sits approximately $4 billion ahead, Jones has established himself as one of professional sports’ most influential figures. His legacy will continue through his children, who are set to inherit ownership of the Cowboys, maintaining the family’s control over one of professional sports’ most recognized brands.
The Cowboys organization maintains that Jones’s leadership has secured the team’s future success through strategic draft decisions and free agent acquisitions, particularly in strengthening the offensive line. This approach reflects his long-term vision for the franchise, even as fans eagerly await another Super Bowl appearance.