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What is Jerry Jones’ Net Worth?
Jerry Jones, the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, has an estimated net worth of $13 billion. This substantial fortune is primarily attributed to his ownership of the Dallas Cowboys, which he purchased in 1989 for $140 million. Under his leadership, the team’s value has skyrocketed, with current estimates placing it at around $8 billion to $9 billion, making it one of the most valuable sports franchises globally.
Jones initially made his fortune in the oil and gas industry through his company, Jones Oil and Land Lease, which he founded after a series of early business ventures, including a failed attempt to open a chain of Shakey’s Pizza restaurants. His investments in the energy sector have continued to be a significant source of income, with Jones holding a controlling stake in Comstock Resources, a publicly traded Texas oil and gas company.
In addition to his oil investments, Jones has diversified his portfolio with significant real estate holdings and other business ventures. He heads Blue Star Land, a real estate development firm, and has invested in hospitality management and Papa John’s franchises. His real estate investments include a luxurious home in the Highland Park area of Dallas, valued at around $20 million, and various development projects in the Dallas area.
Jones has played a pivotal role in the NFL’s financial growth, particularly through negotiating lucrative television deals and sponsorship agreements. His efforts have not only increased the Cowboys’ value but have also contributed to the overall prosperity of the NFL.
Here’s the breakdown of Jerry Jones’s net worth:
Name: | Jerry Jones |
Net Worth: | $13 Billion |
Date of Birth: | October 13, 1942 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life
Jerry Jones, born Jerral Wayne Jones on October 13, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, spent his formative years in North Little Rock, Arkansas, after his family relocated there in 1945. His father, John “Pat” Jones, owned a grocery store where Jerry worked from a young age, instilling in him a strong work ethic.
Jones attended North Little Rock High School, where he played as a running back on the football team. His athletic prowess earned him a football scholarship to the University of Arkansas, where he played as an offensive guard under the legendary coach Frank Broyles.
Jones was a co-captain of the Razorbacks’ 1964 national championship team, a testament to his leadership and determination on the field. He graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and later earned a Master of Arts degree from the same institution.
Career
After completing his education, Jerry Jones embarked on a diverse business career. Initially, he worked as an executive vice president at Modern Security Life Insurance Company, a business owned by his father. In 1967, Jones had an opportunity to purchase the AFL’s San Diego Chargers but chose to focus on completing his master’s degree instead.
His early business ventures included an attempt to open a chain of Shakey’s Pizza Parlor restaurants, which ultimately failed. However, Jones found significant success in the oil and gas industry.
He founded Jones Oil and Land Lease, which became highly profitable, allowing him to amass the wealth necessary to pursue his dream of owning an NFL team. His success in the energy sector laid the financial foundation for his later acquisition of the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowboys Ownership
Jerry Jones’s acquisition of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 marked the beginning of a transformative era for the franchise. He purchased the team and its home stadium, Texas Stadium, for $140 million from H.R. “Bum” Bright.
One of his first controversial moves was firing the legendary coach Tom Landry and replacing him with Jimmy Johnson, a former teammate from the University of Arkansas.
Despite a rocky start, including a 1-15 record in his first season, Jones and Johnson quickly turned the team around. The Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the early 1990s (XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX), establishing themselves as one of the NFL’s premier teams.
Under Jones’s leadership, the Cowboys have become the most valuable sports franchise in the world, valued at around $8 billion to $9 billion. His innovative approaches to marketing, sponsorships, and stadium management have not only enhanced the Cowboys’ brand but also significantly influenced the broader NFL landscape.
Personal Life
Jerry Jones married Eugenia “Gene” Chambers in 1963, whom he met while they were both undergraduates at the University of Arkansas. The couple has three children: Stephen, Charlotte, and Jerry Jr., all of whom hold executive positions within the Dallas Cowboys organization.
Stephen serves as the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, and Director of Player Personnel; Charlotte is the Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer; and Jerry Jr. is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President.
Jones’s personal life has not been without controversy. In March 2022, a woman named Alexandra Davis claimed that Jones was her biological father, a result of an affair with her mother, Cynthia Davis. Jones has reportedly paid nearly $3 million to support Alexandra and her mother, including covering her tuition at Southern Methodist University and purchasing a luxury vehicle for her. This legal battle has added a layer of complexity to Jones’s public persona.
In addition, in November 2022, a photograph from 1957 surfaced showing a young Jones witnessing a racially charged incident at North Little Rock High School, which he later described as a moment of curiosity rather than active participation.
Real Estate
Jerry Jones’s real estate ventures are a significant component of his financial empire, managed primarily through his company, Blue Star Land. This firm has been involved in several high-profile projects, contributing to Jones’s substantial net worth. One of Blue Star Land’s notable developments is Starwood in Frisco, Texas, a 550-acre master-planned residential community. Another significant project is StarCreek in Allen, Texas, a 529-acre residential and commercial development.
One of the most ambitious projects under Jones’s real estate portfolio is The Gates of Prosper, a large-scale development in Prosper, Texas. This project exemplifies Jones’s long-term vision and commitment to creating high-value properties. The land for this development was acquired over a decade ago, and its value has significantly appreciated.
In addition to residential communities, Blue Star Land has also ventured into commercial real estate, including the development of upscale multifamily residential communities like Riata in Austin, Texas.
Jones’s real estate strategy involves acquiring large tracts of land in promising locations and holding them until the market conditions are optimal for development. This approach has proven successful, as evidenced by the substantial appreciation in property values and the successful execution of various development projects.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
