Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Celebrates 37th Anniversary of Buying Team

As the Cowboys look to rebound from a 7-10 season, team owner Jerry Jones reflects on his purchase of the franchise in 1989 and the changes it brought.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Today marks the 37th anniversary of Jerry Jones officially purchasing the Dallas Cowboys from previous owner Bum Bright in 1989. The move changed the trajectory of the franchise, leading to the end of Tom Landry's 29-year head coaching career, the hiring of Jimmy Johnson, and the start of a new era for the Cowboys. As the team looks to improve on a 7-10 season in 2024, Jones has said he will "bust the budget" to rebuild the defense, though his son Stephen Jones clarifies that the team must still operate within the NFL's salary cap constraints.

Why it matters

Jerry Jones' purchase of the Cowboys in 1989 marked a pivotal moment in the franchise's history, ushering in a new era of ownership and leadership that has shaped the team for decades. As the Cowboys look to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season, the anniversary serves as a reminder of the significant changes Jones has overseen and the high expectations he has for the team going forward.

The details

On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones officially announced that he had purchased the Dallas Cowboys from previous owner Bum Bright. The move ended Tom Landry's 29-year tenure as head coach and brought in Jimmy Johnson as the new head coach. It also led to the departure of longtime team president and general manager Tex Schramm. The changes set the Cowboys on a new path that has included multiple Super Bowl championships and a continued focus on building a championship-caliber team.

  • Jerry Jones officially announced buying the Dallas Cowboys on February 25, 1989.
  • The 2026 NFL season will mark the 37th anniversary of Jones' purchase of the team.

The players

Jerry Jones

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys since purchasing the team in 1989.

Tom Landry

The Dallas Cowboys' head coach for 29 years before being replaced following Jones' purchase of the team.

Jimmy Johnson

The new head coach hired by Jerry Jones after he purchased the Cowboys in 1989.

Tex Schramm

The Dallas Cowboys' previous president and general manager who departed the team after Jones' purchase.

Bum Bright

The previous owner of the Dallas Cowboys before selling the team to Jerry Jones in 1989.

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What they’re saying

“Changed the lives of so many forevermore, not to mention his, that of his wife Gene, their kids Stephen, Charlotte and Jerry Jr., as well as a host of associates he brought with him from his oil and gas business to jump into the NFL.”

— Mickey Spagnola (statenews.net)

“I think he is very driven. I think we're all very driven to do what we really need to do on the defensive side of the ball to get better. And I think if we can do that, I think we can have a great football team.”

— Stephen Jones, Cowboys Co-Owner (statenews.net)

What’s next

The Cowboys will need to navigate the NFL's salary cap constraints as they look to rebuild their defense and field a championship-caliber team for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Jerry Jones' purchase of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 marked a pivotal moment in the franchise's history, ushering in a new era of ownership and leadership that has shaped the team for decades. As the Cowboys look to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season, the anniversary serves as a reminder of the significant changes Jones has overseen and the high expectations he has for the team going forward.