When you think about the Dallas Cowboys, one name basically eclipses everything else: Jerry Jones. He is the face of the franchise, the guy in the booth, and the man who turned a football team into a $13 billion global juggernaut. But Jerry wasn't the first. Honestly, he wasn't even the second.
The story of who owned the Dallas Cowboys is actually a wild ride through Texas oil history, bitter rivalries, and a very famous fight song. Most fans forget that before the glitz of AT&T Stadium and the "America's Team" marketing machine, the Cowboys were a struggling expansion team born out of a billionaire's spite.
The Oil Tycoon Who Started It All
Clint Murchison Jr. was the original man behind the star. In 1960, he didn't just want a football team; he wanted to stick it to the NFL establishment. Murchison was a brilliant, eccentric oil heir with a Master’s from MIT. He spent years trying to get a franchise in Dallas, but he kept getting blocked by George Preston Marshall, the owner of the then-Washington Redskins.
Marshall had a monopoly on the South. He didn't want a team in Texas.
So, what did Murchison do? He bought the rights to "Hail to the Redskins," Washington's fight song. Basically, he held the song hostage. He told Marshall that if he didn't vote for the Dallas expansion, the Redskins wouldn't be allowed to play their own anthem. Marshall caved, the vote passed, and the Dallas Cowboys were born.
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Murchison was a "hands-off" owner, which is kinda the opposite of what we see today. He hired Tex Schramm, Tom Landry, and Gil Brandt—the "Triumvirate"—and let them run the show for 24 years. Under his watch, the Cowboys went to five Super Bowls and won two.
The Brief and "Bum" Era
By the early 1980s, things started to slide. Murchison’s health was failing, and his oil empire was hit hard by the economic downturn. In 1984, he sold the team to H.R. "Bum" Bright.
Bright was a Dallas businessman who led a group of investors. If Murchison was the visionary, Bright was the bridge. His tenure was short—only about five years—and it wasn't exactly a party. The team was losing money, losing games, and the roster was aging.
By 1988, Bright was reportedly losing $1 million a month on the franchise. The banking crisis in Texas was in full swing, and federal regulators were breathing down his neck. He needed out. That’s when a wildcatting oilman from Arkansas entered the picture.
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The 1989 Takeover: Jerry Jones Changes Everything
In February 1989, Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million. People thought he was insane. At the time, it was the highest price ever paid for a sports team, and the Cowboys were "bleeding cash."
Jerry didn't just buy the team; he blew it up.
His first act was firing Tom Landry, the only coach the team had ever known. It was brutal. Fans were livid. He then brought in his college teammate, Jimmy Johnson, and took over the role of General Manager himself.
The move was a gamble that paid off with three Super Bowl rings in the 90s. Since then, the ownership hasn't changed, but the business model has. Jerry realized early on that he didn't need to share all his revenue with the league if he could market the "Star" independently. He fought the NFL in court over sponsorship rights and won, which is why the Cowboys are now the most valuable sports team on the planet.
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Who Really Owns the Cowboys Today?
While Jerry is the figurehead, the Dallas Cowboys are technically a family-run business under Blue Star Land and various Jones-controlled entities.
- Stephen Jones: Jerry’s oldest son, who serves as COO and Executive VP. He’s largely seen as the "numbers guy" who manages the salary cap.
- Charlotte Jones Anderson: Jerry’s daughter, who handles brand management and the massive philanthropic arm of the team.
- Jerry Jones Jr.: The youngest son, who oversees marketing and sales.
It’s a dynasty in the truest sense. There is no board of directors to answer to, no public shareholders. When we talk about who owned the Dallas Cowboys, we are looking at a transition from a silent founder (Murchison) to a struggling syndicate (Bright) to a family empire (Jones).
Ownership Timeline at a Glance
- 1960–1984: Clint Murchison Jr. (The Founder)
- 1984–1989: H.R. "Bum" Bright (The Transition)
- 1989–Present: Jerry Jones (The Empire Builder)
Why This Matters for Fans
Understanding this history explains why the Cowboys operate the way they do. Murchison’s hands-off approach led to the stability of the Landry era. Jerry’s hands-on approach led to the 90s dynasty but also the "championship drought" that has frustrated fans for decades.
If you're looking to understand the future of the team, look at the kids. Stephen Jones is much more conservative with money than Jerry ever was. When the ownership eventually passes fully to the next generation, we might see a "quieter" version of the Cowboys, but the Jones family has made it clear: they aren't selling. Ever.
Actionable Insight: If you're tracking the value of sports franchises or the history of the NFL, study Jerry Jones' 1995 lawsuit against the NFL regarding "apparel and sponsorship." It is the single most important event in modern sports ownership history, allowing the Cowboys to keep more of their marketing revenue than any other team.