3 minSports
Jerry Jones says he has no succession plan for Cowboys leadership
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, 83, says he has no succession plan for the team's front office, insisting he will lead until he is no longer around. His son Stephen remains the presumed heir, though Jones dismissed the idea of stepping aside.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he has no succession plan for the leadership of the franchise, pushing back on questions about when he might hand over control of the team he has run since 1989. The 83-year-old told The Athletic that he does not intend to map out a transition, saying, «I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t. One day, I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.»
Jones, who bought the Cowboys for $140 million in February 1989, has remained the central figure in the organization’s football operations for more than three decades. Under his ownership, Dallas won Super Bowls in 1993, 1994 and 1996, adding to the franchise’s earlier titles in 1972 and 1978. But the Cowboys have not returned to the Super Bowl since that 1996 victory, a drought that has fueled criticism of Jones’ hands-on approach to roster decisions and coaching hires.
His son, Stephen Jones, has served as the team’s chief operating officer and executive vice president for years and is widely seen as the natural successor. Jerry Jones acknowledged Stephen’s role in the organization, describing him as a trusted right-hand man who knows when to push back. «He’s about as good as anybody I’ve ever been around in giving deference when he should,» Jones said. «Now, don’t confuse that with lack of intensity. He’ll bite back real hard when he has to. Real hard. He just does it with more grace than I do.»
Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who led the team to three Super Bowl titles under Jones, said the eventual transition will be significant. «I’m not pushing Jerry out by any means, but when that day comes, it’s gonna feel a lot different,» Aikman told The Athletic. The Hall of Famer added that he believes Stephen Jones does not carry the same ego as his father, which he said will «serve» him well in the role.
Despite the lack of recent championship success, the Cowboys remain one of the most valuable franchises in American sports. According to Sportico, the team is estimated to be worth about $15.5 billion if sold today. Jones has repeatedly defended his management style when questioned by fans and reporters, and he has shown no indication that he plans to reduce his involvement in the team’s day-to-day operations.
The question of succession has lingered for years as Jones has aged, but his latest comments suggest he intends to remain at the helm for as long as he is able. For now, the Cowboys continue to operate with Jones making the final calls, and the organization shows no sign of preparing for a future without him at the top.
