Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys since 1989, so as of 2026 he has owned the team for about 37 years.

How long has Jerry Jones owned the Cowboys?

  • Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys on February 25, 1989, from H. R. “Bum” Bright for about $140 million.
  • Counting from 1989 to 2026, he has been the team’s owner for roughly 37 years.
  • When he bought the franchise, it was struggling on the field and financially, but it has since become one of the most valuable sports teams in the world, now valued at well over $8–10 billion in recent estimates.

In short: Jerry Jones has owned the Cowboys since 1989 — nearly four decades of control over “America’s Team.”

Quick timeline

  1. 1989 – Jones buys the Cowboys and Texas Stadium, taking over as owner, president, and general manager.
  1. Early 1990s – Under his ownership, the Cowboys win three Super Bowls (1992, 1993, 1995 seasons).
  1. 2010s–2020s – Dallas becomes the NFL’s highest-valued franchise and a global sports brand, even as on-field results fluctuate.

Latest news & forum flavor

  • Recent discussions around “how long has Jerry Jones owned the Cowboys” often blend his long tenure (since 1989) with debates over the team’s playoff struggles since the mid‑1990s, despite massive financial success.
  • On fan forums, some emphasize his early Super Bowl run and business genius, while others argue that his long control over football decisions has held the team back in the modern era.

Mini FAQ

  • Did Jerry Jones win Super Bowls as owner?
    Yes. The Cowboys won Super Bowls after the 1992, 1993, and 1995 seasons under his ownership.
  • How much did he pay vs. what the Cowboys are worth now?
    He paid about $140 million in 1989; recent valuations put the franchise at more than $10 billion, one of the highest in all sports.

TL;DR: Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys since 1989, which makes it about 37 years of ownership as of 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.