Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, expressed openness to the idea of former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban co-owning the Cowboys through Cuban’s private equity firm, Harbinger. In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Jones praised Cuban for his contributions to basketball and expressed respect for his business acumen. Cuban also indicated that his fund would be receptive to the opportunity. This consideration follows recent comments from Jones’ son, Stephen, who mentioned the possibility of selling a small stake in the Cowboys, which are valued at approximately $13 billion, the highest in North American sports. NFL owners approved private equity firms acquiring up to 10% of a franchise two years ago, allowing for new investment avenues in teams.
Why It Matters
This development highlights the evolving landscape of team ownership in professional sports, particularly in the NFL, where private equity firms are increasingly involved. With the Cowboys’ immense valuation, any partnership or sale involving a stake in the team could have significant financial implications for the franchise and the league. Historical context shows that the NFL has been resistant to outside investment in the past, making this potential collaboration between Jones and Cuban noteworthy. Additionally, Cuban’s recent sale of a majority stake in the Mavericks for $3.5 billion indicates a trend of high valuations and changing ownership dynamics within major sports franchises.
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