At 82 years old, Jerry Jones stands as one of the most influential and wealthiest figures in American sports. With an estimated net worth of $13 billion in 2025, Jones has built an empire through savvy business moves, real estate development, and, most famously, his ownership of the Dallas Cowboys—arguably the most valuable sports franchise in the world, currently worth around $9 billion.
From Arkansas Roots to Football Glory
Born in 1942 in Los Angeles, Jones grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where he first fell in love with football. A standout offensive lineman, he played at the University of Arkansas, earning all-conference honors and co-captaining the team. One of his college teammates was Jimmy Johnson, who would later play a key role in Jones’ NFL story.
Jones earned a business degree and eventually a Master’s, laying the foundation for his future ventures. But the road to success wasn’t linear.
Early Business Ventures and Lessons Learned
In the late 1960s, Jones took a loan from the Teamsters Union, then led by Jimmy Hoffa, to launch a string of Shakey’s Pizza franchises in Missouri. The venture failed, and Jones returned to his father’s insurance business, Modern Security Life of Springfield, becoming its executive VP. He didn’t stop chasing opportunity, though.
He soon launched Jones Oil and Land Lease, an independent energy exploration firm based in Arkansas. Over the next two decades, he quietly built a fortune drilling for oil and gas, setting the financial stage for his boldest move yet—buying an NFL franchise.
The Cowboys Purchase That Changed Everything
In 1989, Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million—a decision that raised eyebrows. He promptly fired beloved coach Tom Landry, replacing him with his former college teammate Jimmy Johnson, and assumed full control as owner, president, and general manager.
The transition was rough—Dallas finished 1–15 in his first season—but by 1992, the Cowboys were Super Bowl champions. Under Jones and Johnson, they won three Super Bowls in four years (1992, 1993, and 1995), transforming the team into a modern dynasty.
A power struggle led to Johnson’s departure in 1994. Despite replacing him with Barry Switzer, who won Super Bowl XXX in 1995, the team never regained its 1990s dominance. However, its brand value soared.
Building a Business Empire Around the Cowboys
Jerry Jones revolutionized NFL ownership by treating the Cowboys as a global entertainment brand. He oversaw the construction of AT&T Stadium, a $1.3 billion venue opened in 2009, which became a model for multi-purpose sports complexes.
Jones was instrumental in growing the NFL’s media rights revenue, famously helping Fox secure the NFC broadcast contract in the 1990s—a move that dramatically increased league income. His business instincts have led to groundbreaking sponsorship deals and commercial partnerships that boosted the Cowboys’ and NFL’s value alike.
He also co-founded Legends Hospitality in 2008 with Yankee Global Enterprises, a company that handles event services for sports venues and has grown into a billion-dollar operation.
Real Estate Development and Investments
Jones’ business interests go beyond football. He leads Blue Star Land, a major real estate development firm. In 2018, the company bought 200 acres in Frisco, Texas, for $38 million. In 2019, they added another 60 acres. Blue Star plans to build a 400,000-square-foot Cowboys merchandising and distribution hub, part of the Star Business Park.
The Jones family also resides in Highland Park, Dallas, in a home valued at around $20 million.
Personal Life and Family Ties
Jones is married to Gene Jones, a former beauty pageant contestant whom he met in college. The couple has three children—Stephen, Charlotte, and Jerry Jr.—all of whom hold leadership roles with the Cowboys.
- Stephen Jones, a University of Arkansas graduate, serves as the Chief Operating Officer and EVP of Player Personnel.
- Charlotte Jones, a Stanford alum, manages branding and charitable initiatives as the EVP and Chief Brand Officer.
- Jerry Jr., who earned his law degree from SMU, is the Cowboys’ Chief Marketing Officer.
Jones is also a grandfather to nine grandchildren.
In 2022, a 25-year-old woman came forward claiming to be Jones’ biological daughter. The woman’s mother had a brief relationship with Jones in the 1990s while working as a flight attendant. Jones reportedly paid nearly $3 million in trust and other funds related to the matter. Legal disputes and claims of defamation have followed, but Jones has not publicly confirmed paternity.
Legacy and Recognition
Jerry Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, a testament to his impact not only on the Cowboys but on the sport itself. Despite ongoing debates—like his refusal to induct Jimmy Johnson into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor—Jones’ influence is undeniable.
He’s often seen as a controversial figure, both revered and criticized. But under his leadership, the Cowboys became the most valuable sports franchise on Earth. He’s reshaped the NFL’s business model, demonstrating how teams can transcend sports to become global brands.
Final Thoughts
Jerry Jones’ net worth of $13 billion in 2025 reflects more than just financial success—it’s the outcome of calculated risk, unshakable vision, and relentless control. Whether he’s in the owner’s box at AT&T Stadium or negotiating billion-dollar TV deals, Jones continues to play the NFL game on his own terms.
Love him or hate him, he’s changed the business of football forever.