Jerry Jones Says He Has No Succession Plan for Cowboys, Will Lead Until ‘Final Breath’

At 83 years old, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains firmly in control of the franchise’s front office operations. His advanced age has naturally sparked speculation about when he might hand over leadership responsibilities, with his son Stephen Jones—a long-standing figure in team decision-making—seen as the likely heir apparent.

Jones, however, bristles at any discussion of relinquishing control. “I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t. One day, I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in,” he told The Athletic, signaling his intention to remain engaged with the organization for the foreseeable future.

The oil and gas magnate purchased the Cowboys for $140 million in February 1989, transforming the franchise into a powerhouse. The team captured three Super Bowl championships during his tenure—in 1993, 1994, and 1996—following earlier titles in 1972 and 1978 under previous ownership.

The Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl since 1996, a drought that has frustrated fans despite the team’s continued dominance in valuation. According to Sportico, the franchise is worth an estimated $15.5 billion today, making it among the most valuable sports properties in America.

Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman suggested a leadership transition would bring meaningful change. “I’m not pushing Jerry out by any means, but when that day comes, it’s gonna feel a lot different,” Aikman told The Athletic, noting that Stephen Jones lacks his father’s outsized ego and operates with greater restraint.

Jones has acknowledged his son’s steadying influence over the years. “He’s about as good as anybody I’ve ever been around in giving deference when he should,” Jones said of Stephen, adding that his son demonstrates “real hard” intensity when necessary but conducts himself with more grace than Jones himself does.