Jerry Jones: From Oil Tycoon to Dallas Cowboys Mogul
Jerry Jones made a bold move in 1989, acquiring the Dallas Cowboys for $150 million when the franchise was struggling financially. Today, that decision has transformed into a lucrative empire, with the team now valued at approximately $10 billion.
Reflecting on his risky investment, Jones, now 82, remarked, “I had danced with the devil to buy the Cowboys, and it was scary.” His oil fortune played a crucial role in this venture, as he secured a loan that would ultimately change his financial trajectory. “When I [got the loan], I celebrated because I had all the money back home,” he shared in a November 2022 interview.
The Cowboys, often referred to as America’s Team, generated record-breaking earnings of $1.2 billion in 2023 alone. This financial success propelled Jones into billionaire status in 2004, and by 2025, the franchise is projected to be the only sports team valued at $10 billion.
However, the Cowboys are just one piece of Jones’ extensive financial portfolio. Forbes estimates his family’s net worth at $19.5 billion, with significant contributions from commercial real estate ventures, including car dealerships in Brazil and pizza franchises across the U.S. Additionally, his natural gas holdings and the private gas entity Arkoma bolster his wealth.
