The idea that an NFL franchise is 100% the property of one individual is as ancient as the pyramids. Owning an NFL team is NOT like owning a family lumber business which in that case you should have total autonomy. Sports team owners are also beholden to the communities that have supported their teams.
In the case of the Dallas franchise:
- While Jerry has certainly done a great job of increasing the value of the Cowboys and all NFL teams, he did not buy the browns. He bought “America’s Team” which already had a great brand when he bought it.
- The voters in Irving and Arlington have certainly padded his wallet through paying for most of the building of the two stadiums the Cowboys have played in since he bought the team. A family lumber company doesn’t have taxpayers build stuff for them.
Here’s what an owner of a modern sports owes its community:
- While Jerry and the Jones family are entitled to the profits of the franchise, they also have an obligation to their community to not make the team a “personal toy”.
- Almost all modern sports teams have a much higher commitment to be accountable to their fans and community. Look at the article I linked at how many teams now use committees rather than one dictator to decide their ROH.
I could go on. But saying that the owner of the Dallas Cowboys is the same as owning a family donut shop or restaurant is ridiculous. Owners of sports franchises owe a lot to the communities where they reside and where they receive huge tax breaks other “family” businesses do not.
