Jerry Jones Discusses Potential Dallas Cowboys Sale

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has indicated that the franchise’s ownership structure may not remain exclusively within the family forever.

In recent comments to the Dallas Morning News, the longtime owner made clear that he would be open to bringing in outside partners under the right circumstances, and he specifically named Mark Cuban as someone who would fit that description.

Jones, who has controlled the Cowboys since purchasing the team in 1989, spoke with clear admiration for the businessman and former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks.

“That’s exactly why, if you’re me, you would be open to that is because of the man. I have all the respect in the world for him, and I know what he did for the Mavericks and what he’s done for basketball,” Jones told Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. “You want to associate with the highest quality of a person who loves the game and then also at the same time wants to do something about it. Mark leads the way in that.”

Cuban acquired a controlling interest in the Mavericks in 2000 and oversaw a dramatic turnaround that included consistent sellouts and the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2011.

Although he sold the majority of his stake in 2023 and retained a minority interest, his reputation for passionate involvement and competitive drive remains well known in Dallas sports circles. Jones’s comments suggest that those qualities would make Cuban an appealing candidate should the Cowboys ever decide to sell ownership stakes.

The Cowboys are not currently for sale. At 83, Jones continues to run one of the NFL’s most valuable and visible franchises, a team that captured three Super Bowl titles during the 1990s and still ranks among the league’s most popular brands. His remarks, however, signal that he is thinking about the longer-term future of the organization beyond the immediate family.

Cowboys executive vice president and co-owner Stephen Jones has also addressed the possibility of minority partners. Speaking on a local radio program in late July, he said the family would not rule out the idea, though they would be highly selective.

The NFL’s updated ownership rules now allow private equity investment and minority stakes, a change Stephen Jones described as a useful tool that can strengthen the league. He emphasized that nothing of the sort is under active consideration for the Cowboys at present.

For fans, the mention of Cuban carries particular interest. During his years of greater control over the Mavericks, the team remained competitive and retained key talent.

While Cuban no longer directs basketball operations for the Mavericks and recently expressed public frustration over the franchise’s decision to trade Luka Dončić, his history suggests a preference for keeping star players and maintaining a high standard of performance. Any future involvement with the Cowboys, even in a limited ownership capacity, would likely reflect those same priorities.

Jones’ comments do not indicate an imminent change in the Cowboys’ ownership. They do, however, reveal a pragmatic openness to the idea that the franchise’s next chapter might include carefully chosen partners who share a deep commitment to the game and to Dallas.

In a league where franchise values continue to climb and ownership models evolve, the Cowboys owner has made it clear he is watching those developments with interest and is willing to consider the right opportunity when the time comes.