Editing Jerry Jones (section)

==Dallas Cowboys==
[[File:President George H. W. Bush receives a Dallas Cowboys jacket and helmet from Jerry Jones.jpg|thumb|Jones gifts [[George H. W. Bush]] a Cowboys helmet, 1989]]
On February 25, 1989, Jones purchased the Cowboys from [[Bum Bright|H. R. "Bum" Bright]] for $140 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|140000000|1989|r=-7}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref>{{cite web |last=Gaines |first=Cork |title=When Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys they were losing $1 million per month and now it is the most valuable team in the world |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-jones-bought-the-dallas-cowboys-2017-8 |website=Business Insider |access-date=July 21, 2018 |date=November 11, 2017}}</ref> Soon after the purchase, he fired longtime coach [[Tom Landry]], to that point the only coach in the team's history,<ref>{{cite web |last=Pincus |first=David |title=2/25/1989 - New owner fires Tom Landry |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2010/2/25/1326989/2-25-1989-new-owner-fires-tom |website=SB Nation |access-date=July 21, 2018 |date=February 26, 2010}}</ref> in favor of his old teammate at Arkansas, [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]. At the time Johnson was the head coach of the [[Miami Hurricanes football|University of Miami Hurricanes]], whom he had led to a [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national championship]] in [[1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1987]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=New Cowboys Owner Fires Landry, Hires Jimmy Johnson<br /> Arkansas Millionaire Buys Club, Taps Miami Coach – His Ex-Roommate |url=https://www.deseret.com/1989/2/26/18796703/new-cowboys-owner-fires-landry-hires-jimmy-johnson-br-arkansas-millionaire-buys-club-taps-miami-coac/ |website=Deseret News |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=July 22, 2018 |date=February 26, 1989}}</ref> A few months later, Jones fired longtime general manager [[Tex Schramm]] and assumed complete control over football matters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/team_executive_jerry_jones.cfm |title=Executive Profile – Jerry Jones |publisher=Dallas Cowboys |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305192136/http://www.dallascowboys.com/team_executive_jerry_jones.cfm |archive-date=March 5, 2010}}</ref>

After a slow start under Jones and Johnson (the [[1989 Dallas Cowboys season|first season under Jones]], a 1–15 finish,<ref>{{cite web |title=1989 Dallas Cowboys Statistics and Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1989.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> remains second only to the team's [[1960 Dallas Cowboys season|inaugural season]] in terms of futility),<ref>{{cite web |title=1960 Dallas Cowboys Statistics and Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1960.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> they quickly built a team often considered one of the best NFL franchises of the 1990s. The Cowboys won [[Super Bowl XXVII]] in the [[1992 Dallas Cowboys season|1992 season]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Bowl XXVII - Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills - January 31st, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301310buf.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> as well as [[Super Bowl XXVIII]] the [[1993 Dallas Cowboys season|following year]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Bowl XXVIII - Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills - January 30th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401300buf.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> Johnson then departed and was replaced by [[Barry Switzer]], who won [[Super Bowl XXX]] in the [[1995 Dallas Cowboys season|1995 season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Bowl XXX - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys - January 28th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199601280dal.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref>

At the time of the sale, the financially troubled Bright claimed to be losing $1 million per month on the franchise.<ref>{{cite web |last=Horn |first=Barry |title=29 years ago yesterday, Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys. Here's an illustrated timeline of his tenure in Dallas |url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2018/02/25/illustrated-timeline-jerry-jones-cowboys-ride-chargers-bid-tv-deals-super-bowls-tabloid-covers |website=Dallas News |access-date=July 22, 2018 |date=February 26, 2018}}</ref> During Jones' tenure, the Cowboys have appreciated in value to an estimated $5.5 billion, turning its owner into a billionaire in the process.<ref name="ForbesNetWorth">{{cite web |title=Jerry Jones |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/jerry-jones/ |website=Forbes |publisher=Forbes Magazine, LLC |access-date=May 16, 2022}}</ref> Much of the league's financial success since 1989 has been credited to Jones himself. In particular, he was decisive in [[1994 United States broadcast TV realignment|securing Fox as the NFC's primary broadcaster]] at a time when the traditional "Big Three" networks were trying to convince the league into accepting a rollback in television rights fees.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jerry-jones-opens-super-bowl-drought-article-1.2906110|title=Cowboys' Jerry Jones opens up to ''News'' about trying to end Super Bowl drought, Tony Romo, Dak Prescott and possible HoF election|author1=Gary Myers|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=December 10, 2016}}</ref>

Increased television revenues have played a decisive role in securing the NFL's place as the world's richest sports league, with revenues of well over $1.2 billion per season.<ref name="forbes_dallas-cowboys">{{cite web |last=Kutz |first=Steven |title=NFL took in $13 billion in revenue last season — see how it stacks up against other pro sports leagues |date=July 2, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/teams/dallas-cowboys/ |website=Forbes.com |access-date=January 18, 2025}}</ref>

The 2020 NFL season was Jones' 32nd as Cowboys owner, longer than the combined tenures of his predecessors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys Owners and Executives |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/executives.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref>

===Criticism===
[[File:GULFSTREAM G-V N1DC Dallas Cowboys owners personal plane at VNY by D Ramey Logan.jpg|thumb|[[Gulfstream V|Gulfstream G-V]] N1DC Dallas Cowboys owner's personal plane at Van Nuys Airport]]
In an online poll from October 8, 2003, Jones was named the least-favorite sports personality by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', in three states (Virginia, Delaware, and Texas).<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/news/2003/10/09/press/ Sports Illustrated features state of Virginia in series of 50 state-specific weekly section.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812232433/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/news/2003/10/09/press/ |date=August 12, 2013 }}, Sportsillustrated.cnn.com, October 9, 2003; retrieved December 21, 2010.</ref>

Jones is often vilified by fans who remain bitter at his unceremonious firings of longtime Cowboys personnel who were fan favorites, most notably head coach [[Tom Landry]] and personnel chief [[Gil Brandt]], even though the Cowboys had done poorly the last few seasons before Jones became owner. Jones stated he did not give consideration to retaining Landry for even a season, as he said he would not have purchased the team unless he could hire Johnson as coach. Jones did not discuss the matter with Landry before announcing the decision. This was denounced by football fans and media as lacking class and respect. The Cowboys had long emphasized pride and tradition, and great performance and loyal service were expected to be rewarded. Since the dismissal, Jones indicated that he regrets the process of Landry's firing and his role in it. It later emerged that Jones' predecessor, Bright, had been dissatisfied with Landry for years and offered to relieve Jones of the inevitable criticism by dismissing the longtime coach himself prior to selling the team.<ref name="auto"/> Bright had wanted to fire Landry as early as 1987, only to have general manager [[Tex Schramm]] tell him that there wasn't a suitable replacement available.<ref>"[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-26-sp-1290-story.html Ex-Cowboys Owner Bright Almost Fired Landry in '87]". ''Los Angeles Times''. February 26, 1990. Accessed January 2, 2021.</ref>

Some of the fan criticism is due to Jones' high visibility and involvement as the "face of the team",<ref>{{cite web |title=Jerry Jones built a Hall of Fame legacy for knowing how to 'stir it up a little bit' |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/8/4/16095452/jerry-jones-hall-of-fame-induction-dallas-cowboys |website=SB Nation |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=July 22, 2018 |date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> a contrast to both Bright and the Cowboys' original owner, [[Clint Murchison Jr.]] Jones's prominent role has led to fans expressing displeasure with Jones and the lack of success of the franchise, with particular criticism of Jones serving as his own general manager.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Jerry Jones' argument for keeping GM role no longer holds water |url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2018/03/17/jerry-jones-argument-keeping-gm-role-no-longer-holds-water |website=Dallas Morning News |access-date=June 27, 2018 |date=March 17, 2018}}</ref> There was particular criticism of Jones over his conflict with head coach [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]], as Jones "wanted Cowboys fans to know he had helped build those Super Bowl-winning teams", while "Johnson insisted that he made all of the personnel moves" because he had the final say in football matters and refused to relinquish this power. Consequently, Jones ousted Johnson after the 1993 season despite two consecutive Super Bowl wins, and refused to induct Johnson into the Cowboys Ring of Honor for 30 years. On November 19, 2023, Jones announced that Johnson would be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor on December 30 of that year.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=BREAKING - Jerry Jones Reveals Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Induction For Jimmy Johnson |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-cowboys-jimmy-johnson-jerry-jones-ring-of-honor-announcement |last=Whitt |first=Richie |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 19, 2023}}</ref> Jones also initially promised [[Bill Parcells]], the Cowboys' head coach from [[2003 Dallas Cowboys season|2003]] through [[2006 Dallas Cowboys season|2006]], complete control over football matters; however, their relationship broke down after Jones signed controversial wide receiver [[Terrell Owens]]. Parcells' successor, [[Wade Phillips]], complained to friends about being "undermined and second-guessed, repeatedly" by Jones.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Football |last=Van Natta |first=Don Jr. |date=August 28, 2014 |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11420510/dallas-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-wants-known-football-man |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

Jones and [[Mike Brown (American football executive)|Mike Brown]] of the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] are the only two active NFL owners who have the title or powers of general manager. Jones stated that working as his own general manager helps streamline decision-making and communication lines with the coaching staff.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lane |first=Mark |title=Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones explains why he is also the team president and GM |url=https://www.all22.com/dallas-cowboys/dallas-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-also-president-general-manager-explains-hall-of-fame |website=all22.com |publisher=Cox Media Group |access-date=July 22, 2018}}</ref> Over Jones' tenure, Cowboys fans have organized a number of grassroots efforts to displace Jones from his position.<ref>[http://firejerryjones.com/ Fire Jerry Jones!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115141633/http://firejerryjones.com/ |date=January 15, 2022 }}, firejerryjones.com; retrieved December 21, 2010.</ref>

[[File:Jerry Jones 2015 (2).jpg|thumb|Jones in 2015]]
Jones is the subject of the 2008 book ''Playing to Win'' by David Magee. In the book, Jones admitted he handled the firing of Landry poorly and accepted some blame for the disintegration of his relationship with Landry's successor, [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}

Jones became involved in the [[St. Louis Rams]] move back to [[Los Angeles]] with Rams owner [[Stan Kroenke]] in 2016. He was instrumental in brokering a deal between Kroenke, [[San Diego Chargers]] owner [[Dean Spanos]], and [[Oakland Raiders]] owner [[Mark Davis (American football)|Mark Davis]] to ensure that Kroenke's [[SoFi Stadium]] plan passed, which it did via a 30–2 owners' vote in favor. Jones' support and role in the negotiations were criticized by some fans and sports media in St. Louis.<ref>Sports Day DFW (January 13, 2016). [http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2016/01/13/cowboys-jerry-jones-plays-key-role-nfls-decision-allow-rams-move-los-angeles "Report: Still an NFL power broker, Cowboys' Jerry Jones helps Rams earn Los Angeles move"]. ''[[Sports Day DFW]]'', January 13, 2016.</ref> Jones was also a key proponent of the [[Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas|Oakland Raiders' move to Las Vegas]] to play at [[Allegiant Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/27/kawakami-las-vegas-raiders-deal-done-who-made-this-happen-whats-next |title=How Cowboys owner Jerry Jones got this Vegas Raiders deal done |last=Kawakami |first=Tim |work=Mercury News |access-date=September 19, 2019 |date=March 27, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===NFL fines===
Jones was fined $25,000 by the NFL for publicly criticizing referee [[Ed Hochuli]] after Hochuli made a call in a game between the [[San Diego Chargers]] and the [[Denver Broncos]] on September 14, 2008. Jones made comments both to the press and on his radio show, saying Hochuli was one of the most criticized officials in the NFL. This was Jones' first fine by the NFL.<ref>''San Diego Union Tribune'', September 29, 2008, D14</ref>

In 2009, Jones was fined $100,000 for violating a gag order on labor issues, commenting that revenue sharing was "on its way out".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/09/espn-nfl-fines-cowboys-jerry-jones-100000-for-cba-remarks/1 |title=NFL fines Cowboys' Jerry Jones $100,000 for CBA remarks |last=Leahy |first=Sean |work=[[USA Today]] |date=September 13, 2009}}</ref> Commissioner [[Roger Goodell]] had issued a gag order for all owners and team executives from discussing any aspect of the pending labor issues. Jones "crossed the line", drawing a "six-figure" fine, sources said, as the commissioner distributed a memo to all 32 owners, along with a reminder that the gag order remains in effect. Goodell did not disclose the specific amount of Jones's fine in the memo.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4469721 | title=Sources: Jones fined at least $100K |last=Mortensen | first=Chris | author-link=Chris Mortensen | work=ESPN.com | date=September 13, 2009 | access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>