Playing to Win: Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys
In 1989 the Dallas Cowboys were struggling to keep their heads above water, both on and off the field. Three straight losing seasons, falling revenue, and the crumbling finances of owner H.R. "Bum" Bright had left "America's Team" a shadow of its former self. That February, Bright announced he had made a handshake deal to sell the team for $140 million to an Arkansas oilman named Jerry Jones. Nearly two decades later, Jones has turned the Cowboys into the most profitable sports franchise in the world; sports three Super Bowl rings won during the 1990s with two different coaches; and has overseen every detail involving the team's new $1.2 billion home in Arlington, Texas, a stadium the likes of which no sports fan has ever seen. Along the way, Jones's aggressive, creative ideas combined with a colorful cast of coaches and players to completely revolutionize the NFL's business model, helping to transform the league into the nation's most popular sport. Acclaimed author David Magee (How Toyota Became #1) was granted an all-access pass to the Cowboys organization, the team's locker room, and to Jones himself. The result is Playing to Win, an unprecedented and compelling look at the inner workings of the Cowboys, the NFL, the business of sports, and the man with the ambition and drive to turn the playing field upside down. Playing to Win is an enlightening, behind-the-scenes narrative featuring the true story behind Jones's purchase of the team; the firing of legendary coach Tom Landry; the fallout between Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson; the team's attitude toward acquiring controversial stars, including Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens, and Adam "Pacman" Jones; and Dallas's approach to merchandising, marketing, and stadium financing. Playing to Win is a must-read for serious football fans and anyone with a desire to understand the modern world of pro sports.