“This Stadium Isn’t Built Necessarily for the People”: Jerry Jones Reveals the Real Purpose of the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium

The Dallas Cowboys are on to something. After 26 years of no silverware, the Cowboys are once again Super Bowl contenders. And a big part of this rise from mediocrity is their owner, Jerry Jones. Jones came in 1989 and changed the franchise forever.

In 2009, Jerry Jones gifted Dallas the $1.3 billion AT&T Stadium. This was the league’s only billion-dollar stadium at the time. And 13 more stadiums have followed suit into the billionaire club ever since. This was all Jerry’s doing. Jones is known as a revolutionary figure in the amalgamation of TV broadcasting and the NFL.

ALSO READ: “I Like Our Bunch”: Jerry Jones Explains Not Making This Big Name Signing That Would’ve Made Dallas Cowboys Guaranteed Super Bowl Favorites

The AT&T stadium, located in Arlington, Texas, is a media magnet. People love talking about it. Also known as Jerry World, after owner Jerry Jones, the Stadium was Jerry’s brainchild. He wanted more from it than just the Cowboys football.

Jerry replaced the Texas Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys’ home ground from 1971 to 2008, with the spectacle that stands today. It is said that AT&T Stadium consumes more electricity than the whole country of Liberia. However, Jerry knew how to make his huge investment turn in his favor.

Jerry Jones built the new stadium for more than just football

Even though Jerry Jones started planning the new stadium way back in 1994, it wasn’t completed and opened for the public until May 2009. The same year, the stadium set the regular season NFL record for single-day attendance of 105,121. Even though the capacity is 80,000, it can be expanded up to 100,000. The AT&T Stadium also houses one of the world’s largest HD screens.

Jerry Jones didn’t build the stadium for the masses to just enjoy football. He wanted the world to see and be blown away by his creation. He wanted broadcasters to talk about it and everyone to swoon over it. “This stadium isn’t built necessarily for the people that are there. It’s built for television,” Jones had said.

And Jerry Jones’ dreams have come true as the AT&T stadium is the center of not just football but also entertainment and a multitude of other sporting activities. Due to its retractable roof, the stadium is a catch in all categories from WWE WrestleMania main events, hosting the 2010 NBA All-Star game, College football, and even soccer.

The AT&T stadium is scheduled to be one of the prime venues hosting multiple games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

With his financial dreams realized, Jerry Jones’ only aim, for now, is the Super Bowl. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys face Jeff Saturday’s 4-6-1 Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.

Watch This Story: Jerry Jones announces a date with Odell Beckham Jr