It's been a bit of a dry season for sports in Dallas of late, but we can't complain too much considering the success we've had in the past. Although the pieces are not falling perfectly into place right now for the Mavericks, Rangers or Cowboys, we know our teams are all capable of greatness. This is due to the strength of the players on the court and on the sidelines.
Sports Illustrated noticed as much, naming Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Dallas Cowboys overlord Jerry Jones as two of the 50 Most Powerful People in Sports in its pre-released March 11 issue.
Both teams are currently teetering on the wrong side of mediocrity, so the list may be of small comfort to most fans. But we can take solace in the fact that even when Dallas isn't the home of champions, it's still the talk of the town.
Here's what SI had to say about Jerry (No. 19):
No owner gets the biz side of sports like Jerry Jones, 70, who pushed through construction of the 110,000-capacity Jones Mahal (a.k.a. Cowboys Stadium) and presides over what Forbes deems America's most valuable sports franchise ($2.1 billion). Despite on-field mediocrity of late, Dallas is by far the league's most profitable team. Now, if only owner Jones would fire G.M. Jones.
And Cubes (No. 48):
Dallas will most likely miss the playoffs for the first time since 2000, when Mark Cuban bought the team. Dismiss the man at your peril. His roster is full of expiring contracts, and he has declared that "the Bank of Cuban" is open. Beyond his team, Cuban, 54, appears here for his force of personality, rare accessibility and willingness to embrace emerging technologies. If one of the many sports-tech ventures he's backed happens to pop, it could dwarf his Mavs assets.
Despite recent setbacks, Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban are still two of the most powerful people in sports.
