foxnews
The prospect of a dual-power structure at the helm of the Dallas Cowboys is not being dismissed by Jerry Jones. The billionaire owner, who has transformed the franchise into a multi-billion-dollar sports empire, indicated he is receptive to sharing ownership with another prominent figure from the Dallas sports scene.
In a conversation with The Dallas Morning News, Jones stated he would be amenable to Mark Cuban, the former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, acquiring a stake in the Cowboys via his private equity firm, Harbinger. Cuban, in turn, told the same outlet that he was confident his Harbinger fund would also be open to such an arrangement.
Jones elaborated on his reasoning, emphasizing his admiration for Cuban's character and track record. "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 said. He added that beyond financial considerations, associating with someone of Cuban's caliber, who genuinely loves the game and is proactive, is desirable. "Mark leads the way in that," Jones remarked.
Key Analysis
This openness comes on the heels of a statement by Jerry Jones' son, Stephen Jones, who serves as the Cowboys' chief operating officer. Stephen recently acknowledged that the family "wouldn't rule...out" selling a portion of the team, though he stressed that any potential partner would be carefully vetted. The NFL's approval two years ago of private equity investments, allowing firms to acquire between 3% and 10% of a franchise, has paved the way for such discussions.
Cuban, who still holds a 27% stake in the Mavericks, sold nearly 75% of his ownership in December 2023 at a valuation of $3.5 billion. His investment portfolio also includes a recent minority stake in MLB's Athletics, a team slated to relocate to Las Vegas by 2028. The Cowboys, with an estimated value of $13 billion, stand as the most valuable franchise in North American professional sports, according to Forbes.
Originally reported by foxnews.