What is Jerry Jones networth? Forbes has estimated it in the double-digit billions of dollars in recent years, which places him among the wealthiest team owners in American sports. The exact figure moves each year with the value of the Dallas Cowboys, which Forbes has repeatedly ranked as the most valuable sports franchise in the world, at above $10 billion in recent valuations.
Quick answer
I will not commit to one number, because the Forbes estimate changes with each list and the team valuation has risen quickly. The safe summary is that he is a multi-billionaire whose fortune is mostly the Cowboys. For the current number, check Forbes’ real-time billionaires page and its annual NFL team valuations.
How the fortune was built
The purchase in 1989
Jones, a former football player at the University of Arkansas, made money in the oil and gas business through his company, Arkoma Production. In 1989 he bought the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Stadium from Bum Bright, in a deal widely reported at about $140 million. At the time, the team was losing money. The purchase is now one of the best-known investments in sports.
The Cowboys
He changed the commercial model. Jones took control of stadium revenue, sponsorships and merchandise, which was unusual at the time. Teams in the NFL share television money, but local revenue such as suites, naming rights and sponsorship is largely kept by the club, and Jones went hard after it.
The stadium
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, opened in 2009, and it is among the largest revenue generators in the league, hosting concerts, college games and major events as well as the Cowboys. The stadium’s earnings are a big reason why the team is worth so much.
Other holdings
Jones has real estate, other investments and an interest in the oil and gas sector. The Cowboys are, however, the dominant piece, and the Jones family, including his son Stephen Jones and daughters, work in the organization.
Timeline
- 1960s: Plays college football at Arkansas, on a national championship team in 1964.
- 1970s and 80s: Builds the oil and gas business.
- 1989: Buys the Cowboys.
- 1990s: The team wins three Super Bowls in four years, in the 1992, 1993 and 1995 seasons.
- 2009: Opens AT&T Stadium.
- 2017: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.
Why the numbers differ
When people ask what is jerry jones networth, they find different answers for these reasons.
- Team valuations are estimates. Teams are rarely sold, so values come from comparable deals and revenue.
- Family ownership. The Joneses own the team together with relatives, and attributing the whole to him may overstate his share.
- Debt. Stadium financing and other debts reduce net worth.
- Timing. Valuations and lists come out at different times of the year.
Myth versus reality
Myth: The Cowboys are valuable because they win. Reality: The team has not won a Super Bowl in decades, but it is a huge commercial brand with big television audiences, which supports the valuation.
Myth: His wealth comes from oil. Reality: Oil gave him the capital to buy, but the fortune is overwhelmingly the football team.
The comparison
Few sports owners hold comparable wealth. Other owners, such as Steve Ballmer with the Los Angeles Clippers, made their fortune elsewhere. What sets Jones apart is that his net worth was created largely through the team, which he bought for a sum now small relative to its worth.
Where to check
For up-to-date numbers on what is jerry jones networth, use Forbes’ lists and, if he is covered, Bloomberg’s index. Both give dates. Pay attention to the date of the team valuation they are using.
What is jerry jones networth compared with the team value
A frequent point of confusion when asking what is jerry jones networth is the difference between team value and personal wealth. Forbes values the Cowboys as a franchise, and the Jones family owns most but not all of it. Subtract debt tied to the stadium and other obligations, add his other assets, and you get a personal estimate that is lower than the headline team value but still very large.
Takeaway
Jerry Jones turned a roughly $140 million purchase into a franchise worth many billions, and his personal fortune, estimated by Forbes in the double-digit billions, follows from it. The details shift every year, so treat any single total as a snapshot.
Related reading: How Much Is Alex Jones Networth After the Sandy Hook Judgments?.
Source for current figures and rankings: Forbes.
