Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, has stated his desire to see more minorities have ownership positions in NFL teams.
“Nobody got in on a wing and prayer any more than I did, and I really couldn’t afford it,” Jones said after the Cowboys’ 30-10 win against the New York Jets. “But I got into it and as we look and see — and we do see — the qualified potential buyers out here that can get involved and that’s one way. It’s not the only way.
[There are] multiple ways to address inequity. Multiple ways to go do it. And certainly I would think about one way is to try to work to get ownership improved in the minority area. And I’m all for it and I do it. I work at it. I work at it.”
The context for Jones’ remarks was a racial discrimination case brought by Jim Trotter, a former NFL Media employee, against the NFL. According to the lawsuit, Jones allegedly said, “If Blacks feel any way, they should buy their own team and hire who they want to hire,” in front of a crowd that included Trotter.
Jones stated once more on Sunday that it wasn’t “accurateSunda
“Jim’s a friend and I think a lot of him,” Jones said. “I hate that we’ve got some litigation and hopefully we will address all of that, but the overall concern I would say is just not accurate.”
Jones claimed to have discussed strategies to boost interest in minority ownership with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Magic Johnson, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, has invested in the Washington Commanders’ new ownership.
“Magic is a great ambassador and I’d carry him piggyback to get him involved in the NFL,” Jones said.
Recent sales of The Commanders set a record price of $6.05 billion. The Denver Broncos were sold for $4.65 billion last year. The Cowboys were given a $9 billion worth by Forbes last month.H
“You know the financial hurdles for everything has gone up, but percentage-wise there are qualified people out here,” Jones said. “If they aren’t here this minute, they’re on their way because that’s what’s happening in this country is people do gain on it and many of the people that recently have gotten involved in the NFL might not have been able to do it 20 years ago.
“So, continuing to share thoughts and ideas with other people about being involved and from ownership is something that I can speak to. I’ve wanted it when I couldn’t afford it and I am a big disciple, so to speak, that you can do it.”
