Wendy Davis Rules the Web

Wendy Davis: Links we love about the now-famous Fort Worth state senator

Wendy Davis sure is getting a lot of press these days. The Democratic state senator from Fort Worth made headlines the world over with her 10-hour filibuster to kill the most restrictive abortion bill in America.

Gov. Rick Perry has called a second special session and will attempt to pass a new version of Senate Bill 5 starting July 1. In the meantime, Davis is enjoying near-celebrity status for her feat of physical and mental strength. Can't get enough Wendy? Here's a roundup of her best Internet billing.

1. A thoroughly annotated history of Wendy Davis' stardom. Knowyourmeme.com dissects Davis' rise to fame with no less than 28 carefully traced sources. Respect.

2. Why an abortion filibuster in Texas matters. Rolling Stone has a great piece on the proof in Davis' pudding. As reporter Jessica Mason Pielko puts it, "The right wing is targeting states like Texas for a reason," but they've seriously miscalculated the political climate on a woman's right to choose.

3. Wendy Davis earns title as the LeBron James of filibustering. Wikipedia don't lie, folks.

4. Wendy Davis takes over Game of Thrones, Kill Bill and Friday Night Lights. Buzzfeed catalogues Davis' best meme treatment, including a mash-up with Hillary Clinton.

5. Buy your abortion filibuster sneakers here. Those pink Mizuno Wave Rider shoes are probably going to need another product run soon. And Davis might be looking at an endorsement deal.

6. Could Davis lose her Senate seat? The Supreme Court's decision on the Voting Rights Act could have serious consequences for Davis, who was elected with strong support from minority voters. Of course, Davis might be destined for a different elected office in 2014.

Star power

Dallas Cowboys remain NFL’s most valuable team at staggering $16 billion

Dallas Cowboys v New York Giants

Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images

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Despite last season’s record of 7-9-1 and this season’s opening loss to the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys remain the NFL’s golden team.

CNBC’s annual ranking of the NFL’s most valuable franchises once again puts the Cowboys at No. 1. Jerry Jones’ team is worth an estimated $16 billion based on 2025 figures, up from $12.5 billion the previous year. Just as noteworthy: The ’Boys were the only team to break the $1 billion mark for revenue, pulling in nearly $1.3 billion last year.

Jones, the team’s owner, president, and general manager, has practically transformed the Cowboys into an ATM. He bought the team in 1989 for only $150 million. Based on CNBC’s $16 billion estimate, the team’s value has jumped 10,567 percent over more than three decades.

In a 2016 interview with CNBC, Jones explained why he purchased the ’Boys: “I bought the Cowboys because I just wanted to be associated with sports and football. And I didn’t buy them for money.”

Two years later, Jones told Bloomberg that no amount of money would ever persuade him to sell the team.

“They’re a long-term asset, and my immediate family — which has been a part of making them what they are today — [will] own the Cowboys long after I’m gone,” he said.

Jerry Jones, Cowboys movie premiere Jerry Jones has good reason to give a thumbs up. Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

The Cowboys make up just one component of Jones’ vast wealth. He also holds investments in the energy, real estate, hospitality and restaurant sectors. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimates his net worth at $20.9 billion.

Behind the Cowboys on CNBC’s most-valuable roster are the Los Angeles Rams, at $14.5 billion; Las Vegas Raiders, $13 billion; New York Giants, $12.5 billion; and New England Patriots, $12.25 billion.

What about the Cowboys’ archrival, the Philadelphia Eagles? With an estimated value of $11.5 billion, the Eagles roost at No. 8, according to CNBC.

And the Lone Star State’s other NFL team, the Houston Texans, sits at No. 15 with an estimated value of $9.9 billion.

cowboys jerry jones sports sports-fitness value nfl billionaires

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