Jerral 'Jerry' Wayne Jones is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Owner, President, and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys (NFL). His wealth is rooted in the oil and gas business and his transformation of the Cowboys into a global sports brand. Born in 1942, he graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1964 with a degree in business, where he was a co-captain of the 1964 national championship football team.

Jones's career began in the energy sector: he briefly worked for Modern Security Life Insurance before founding his own oil and gas exploration company. His philosophy centers on unwavering self-reliance, risk-taking, and vertical integration (controlling all aspects of the Cowboys' business, including merchandising and broadcasting).

• Dallas Cowboys (NFL) (Owner, President & General Manager): The core asset, the most valuable sports franchise in the world. He bought the team for $140 million in 1989 (using two-thirds of his own cash).
• Oil and Gas Holdings: His initial wealth was built on his oil and gas exploration company (later Jerry Jones Oil and Gas).
• Family Governance: His three children (Stephen, Charlotte, and Jerry Jr.) hold key executive roles (COO, CBO, and CMO).
• NFL Innovation: He pioneered the unique model of controlling all marketing, broadcasting, and merchandising assets of the team.

Jerry Jones's strategic genius was his $140 million acquisition of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989—a highly leveraged and high-risk move at the time—and his immediate decision to fire legendary coach Tom Landry and take on the role of General Manager. His vision was to transform the Cowboys from a struggling franchise into a global sports empire.

He successfully orchestrated the construction of the massive AT&T Stadium and the Star Headquarters, controlling all non-NFL revenue streams (merchandising, broadcasting through the Cowboys' in-house network). His three children hold key executive roles, ensuring generational continuity. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term appreciation of the most valuable sports franchise in the world and his early success in the oil and gas business.

Jerry Jones's social impact is massive and structural, tied to the Dallas Cowboys' role as a massive civic and economic asset for Texas and its global fan base. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (managed by his daughter Charlotte) and the Dallas Cowboys Merchandising (managed by his son Jerry Jr.) are major global brands that generate immense employment.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives through the Dallas Cowboys Charities and the NFL Foundation (where his daughter Charlotte was the first woman to chair). His career is a testament to the profitability of vertical integration and business control in professional sports.

Jerry Jones maintains the high-profile, distinctive style of a dominant NFL owner. His attire is consistently bespoke, favoring dark, tailored suits, often paired with his signature Dallas Cowboys branding. His aesthetic reflects confident, hands-on control and immense financial authority.

Residing in Dallas, Texas, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to sports management, real estate development, and oil and gas investment.