Jerry Jones scores top spot among wealthiest owners of NFL teams

The Dallas Cowboys might be having a so-so season, but owner Jerry Jones belongs to an elite team. Aside from being the fifth wealthiest resident of Texas, he’s tied for third richest among billionaire owners of NFL franchises, a new ranking shows.

The list, published November 10 by CNBC, puts Jones and Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, in the No. 3 spot. Each man’s net worth is estimated at $8.5 billion, CNBC says.

“On a landscape where many sports team owners make their fortunes elsewhere and then treat their team as something of a toy, Jones is the rare owner who generates enormous cash flow from the team itself,” Investopedia points out.

CNBC notes that Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989 for $140 million. In the 30 years since, the team has scored three Super Bowl victories, and its value has soared to $5.5 billion. That makes the Cowboys the most valuable team in the NFL.

“Ever since he purchased the team in 1989, Jones has forced his way into the spotlight whenever possible, making the Cowboys as much a brand as a football team,” TheStreet.com observes.

Jones grabbed headlines in early 2019 for his purchase of a $250 million superyacht that’s as long as a football field and named for his wife.

Jones isn’t the only Texan in the NFL billionaires club.

Stan Kroenke, who owns a ranch west of Wichita Falls, sits at No. 2 on the list. His net worth is estimated at $9.7 billion, CNBC says. His other sports holdings include the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.

This year, Kroenke bumped Jones from his No. 4 perch in Forbes’ ranking of the richest Texans, knocking the Cowboys owner down to No. 5.

Rounding out the top 10 among NFL billionaires is Janice McNair, owner of the Houston Texans. Her net worth is estimated at $4 billion. McNair took control of the team following the death of her husband, Bob, in 2018. McNair paid $700 million for the Texans franchise, which is now worth $3.1 billion, according to CNBC.

So, who is the richest NFL owner of all? Scoring the No. 1 spot is David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers, who is worth $12 billion.

Also on the team: Stephen Ross, Miami Dolphins owner (No. 5); Robert Kraft, New England Patriots owner (No. 6); Arthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons owner (No. 7); Terry Pegula, Buffalo Bills owner (No. 8); and Stephen Bisciotti, Baltimore Ravens owner (No. 9).