With an estimated value of $11 billion, the Cowboys are undoubtedly one of the biggest sporting franchises in the world.
That may not be reflected in Super Bowl triumphs, at least not in recent seasons. But Jerry Jones' franchise has plenty of money in its coffers. The same can be said about Jones, himself. He is famous and infamous, always willing to scrawl newspaper columns with quotes about players and coaches alike. While that doesn't always prove the most viable to creating a winning environment, it does make you noteworthy. Apparently, it can also make you quite wealthy.
With that, here's what you need to know about Jones' net worth and the origins of his Cowboys ownership.
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Jerry Jones net worth
Jones is valued at $16.2 billion, according to Forbes, the 156th-highest mark in the world. A former national champion with Arkansas football, Jones has proven one of wealthiest owners in professional sports since purchasing Dallas' football franchise in 1989. The Cowboys have become the most lucrative of Jones' investments, their value seemingly growing exponentially, even if their success on the field — at least as of late — has lagged behind other notable sides.
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How Jerry Jones made his fortune
Before Jones was Dallas' lead proprietor, he plied his trade in the world of business. He garnered most of his wealth with the oil and gas company he founded in Arkansas, Jones Oil and Land Lease. The corporation was a successful one, thrusting Jones into the upper echelons of oil speculation. Jones Oil and Land Lease eventually established outposts in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Sacramento and Calgary, accruing billions on account of natural resource prospecting.
The profits from the venture served as the foundation for Jones' high-profile Cowboys purchase in 1989.
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When did Jerry Jones buy the Cowboys?
Jones made Dallas' foremost sporting franchise his own in 1989, shelling out $140 million to purchase the franchise from H.R. "Bum" Bright.
Jones had held an interest in purchasing an NFL franchise for at least two decades, having attempted to make a play for the Chargers in the late 1960s. Jones secured a $1 million loan from Teamsters and planned to lodge an official offer for the nascent organization. However, his father was unconvinced, believing the debt would be too much to handle if the deal fell through.
"Don't tell me I'm not involved. Don't you tell me that," the elder Jones told his son, per Dallas Morning News. "If you can't pay, I'm going to have to be looking after your well-being, and what I've got is relatively modest."
Jones backed out of negotiations. He wouldn't make the same mistake 20 years later.
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How the Dallas Cowboys make money
As one of American sports' most successful franchises, the Cowboys use a lot of different levers to rack up profits, from ticket sales to television deals.
Ticket sales
Dallas' prominence might be best reflected in its ticket sale figures. The franchise ranks as one of the league's most successful sides in terms of ticket revenue, taking home $136 million in 2024, per Sportico, the second-best figure in the league behind the 49ers ($176 million).
AT&T Stadium can host up to 80,000 people, making it the third-largest colosseum in the league. It is renowned for its technological flair, accessibility and versatility, having hosted concerts, rodeos, basketball games, motocross events, wrestling matches and Spartan races, among other events. Given its amenities, it's unsurprising such a building has proven so profitable as of late.
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Merchandising
The Cowboys have one of the most recognizable brands in all of sports. That's reflected in the team's merchandising sales, too.
Although exact figures on merchandising revenue are hard to track down, two Cowboys (Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb) ranked in the top-20 in jersey sales in 2024. According to the NFL Players Association, Dak Prescott had one of the best-selling bobbleheads in the league that year, while posters of Parsons also sold frequently.
They are not anomalies, either. Dallas both attracts and creates supernovas. As long as the side is performing adequately, expect Cowboys jerseys to fly off the shelf.
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Sponsorships
As previously mentioned, Dallas is as high-profile a franchise as there is in professional sports. That reputation has helped the side take home some glistening sponsorships, including AT&T, Miller Lite, Bank of America and Ford. Per Sportico, NFL sides collectively took home $2.5 billion in sponsor revenue in 2024. Given the Cowboys' size and stature, it seems healthy to assume they landed a healthy portion of those riches.
Media rights
The NFL has fielded a series of big-money media rights deals in recent seasons, landing a record-breaking $110 billion contract over 11 seasons in 2021. Littered with opt-out clauses, the league could secure even more money in the future.
The league doles out television revenue equally to each of the 32 sides. In 2024, that equated to about $400 million. Coupled with Dallas' additional ticket, merchandising and sponsorship revenue, it's clear Jones and Co. are living lavish.
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Who owns AT&T Stadium?
Contrary to popular belief, AT&T Stadium doesn't actually belong to Jones. In fact, it doesn't belong to any robber baron. Rather, it belongs to the City of Arlington, its hometown. The city government leases the colossus to Jones, who reportedly pays Arlington $2 million in rent to use the facility, plus $500,000 from the stadium's naming rights deal.
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Jerry Jones business ventures & philanthropy
Jones' financial empire has continued to grow since he purchased the Cowboys; Dallas' majority shareholder has his hand in various pies, accumulating wealth via real estate, tech investment, hospitality and even pizza.
Jones boasts an eclectic business portfolio, founding real estate powerhouse Blue Star Land, sports hospitality company Legends Hospitality and gaming company ComplexityGaming. He also inked a partnership with Papa John's and has embraced philanthropy, routinely pouring money into the Salvation Army and his charity, the Jerry Jones Family Foundation.
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Where does Jerry Jones live?
Jones has multiple properties. He owns a glitzy 14,044-square foot mansion in Highland Park, Texas. The property has six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Jones paid $6 million for the home in 1992. It is now valued at upwards of $28 million, per Gigwise.
Jones also has residences in California and Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. His collection of yachts, private jets and luxury cars have also drawn attention over the years.
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