ES Explains: $11.3 Billion Jerry Jones Hits the Jackpot in Prestigious Forbes List. But How?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is always a step ahead of the game. And in 1989, the visionary saw the route to glory when he bought the Cowboys for a mere $150 million. Over the next 27 years, Jones built it into an $8 billion organization, and that has earned him a special spot on a very prestigious list.

Jerry Jones’ Arlington franchise has pushed him to the third spot on the Top Sporting Empires on the 2023 Forbes list. And over three decades, the former oil and gas investor has revolutionized the popularity of the Cowboys and pushed the NFL to the pinnacle of sporting leagues.

Jerry Jones makes the Top 3 on the Forbes list

The Dallas owner has had a knack for football right from his high school days. Jones had a running back role at Little North Arkansas High School, before shifting to an offensive lineman role at Arkansas University to captain them to the 1964 National Championship. And he was always meant for footballing greatness. Just not on the gridiron. He excelled in the back office.

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Jones’ Dallas Cowboys only trails the Liberty Media Group and Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (owners of the Los Angeles Rams) in net value. Liberty is at a staggering $20.8 billion, followed by Stanley Kroenke’s $12.75 billion, and Jerry’s $11.32 billion.

America’s Team is still on the hunt for Jerry’s fourth Super Bowl ring after the last one came in 1995. Jerry won three Lombardis in the first seven years in charge of the Cowboys. However, it’s been all dry ever since.

So how did Jerry reach the top?

Jones made his first big break in the 1970s with some luck in the oil and gas wildcatting business. Jerry is still involved in multiple oil drilling deals and investments, along with several other real estate and retail investments in the Dallas area.

Besides that, since 2018, Jones also owns the majority shares of Comstock Resources, a publicly traded oil and gas company in Texas. Also, Jones and Yankee Global Enterprises joined hands to form a merchandising company, Legends Hospitality in New York. Jerry Jones also put his money into the e-sports sector, partnering up with John Goff and GameSquare E-sports.

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Cowboys icon Jerry also has an impressive art collection comprising some Picasso, Renoir, Matisse pieces along with Norman Rockwell’s classic ‘Coin Toss’. Over the years, Jones has done his part. And now it is up to Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy to fulfil Jerry’s long-drawn dream of another Super Bowl.