page_title: Jerry Jones
section_title: Criticism
hierarchical_section_title: Jerry Jones / Dallas Cowboys / Criticism
caption_attribution_description: English: GULFSTREAM G-V N1DC Dallas Cowboys owners personal plane at VNY by D Ramey Logan
context_page_description: Jerral Wayne "Jerry" Jones is an American billionaire businessman and has been the owner of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys since 1989.
context_section_description: In an online poll from October 8, 2003, Jones was named the least favorite sports personality by Sports Illustrated, in three states (Virginia, Delaware and Texas).
  Jones is often vilified by fans who remain bitter at his unceremonious firings of long-time Cowboys personnel who were fan favorites, head coach Tom Landry and general manager Tex Schramm, even though the Cowboys had been doing poorly in the last few seasons before Jones became the team owner. Jones stated he did not give consideration to retaining Landry for even a season, as he said he would not have purchased the team unless he could hire Johnson as coach. Jones also did not discuss the matter beforehand with Landry before announcing the decision. This was denounced by football fans and media as totally lacking in class and respect, as pride and tradition were part of the Cowboys where great performance and loyal service were expected to be rewarded. Since the dismissal, Jones has indicated he regrets the process of Landry's firing and his role in it. It would later emerge that Jones' predecessor Bright had been dissatisfied with Landry for years and had even offered to relieve Jones of the inevitable criticism by dismissing the longtime coach himself prior to selling the team.
  Some of the fan criticism is due to Jones' high visibility and involvement as the "face of the team", a marked contrast to original owner Clint Murchison Jr. Jones' prominent role has led to fans expressing their displeasure with Jones and the lack of success of the franchise, with particular criticism focusing on Jones' insistence on serving as his own general manager. There was particular criticism of Jones over his conflict with head coach Jimmy Johnson, as Jones who was general manager "wanted Cowboys fans to know he had helped build those Super Bowl-winning teams", while "Johnson insisted that he made all of the personnel moves" since he had the final say in football matters and refused to relinquish this power; consequently Jones ousted Johnson after the 1993 season despite winning two consecutive Super Bowls and has refused to induct Johnson into the Cowboys Ring of Honor. Jones also initially promised head coach Bill Parcells complete control over football matters, however their relationship broke down after Jones signed controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens. Parcell's successor as Cowboys head coach, Wade Phillips, had complained to friends about being "undermined and second-guessed, repeatedly" by Jones.
  Jones is one of two owners in the league (the other being Cincinnati's Mike Brown) who have either the title or powers of general manager. Over the years of Jones's tenure, Cowboys fans have organized a number of grassroots efforts aimed at displacing Jones from his position.
  Jones is the subject of the 2008 book Playing to Win by David Magee. In the book, Jones admitted he handled the firing of Landry poorly and accepted some blame for the disintegration of his relationship with Landry's successor, Jimmy Johnson.
  Jones became involved in the St. Louis Rams move back to Los Angeles with Stan Kroenke in 2016. He was instrumental in brokering a deal between Stan Kroenke, San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos, and Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis to ensure that Kroenke's SoFi Stadium plan passed which it did via a 30-2 owners vote in favor. Jones' support and role in the negotiations has been criticized by some fans and sports media in St. Louis. Jerry Jones was also a supporter and key proponent of the Oakland Raiders move to Las Vegas to play at Allegiant Stadium.
caption: GULFSTREAM G-V N1DC Dallas Cowboys owners personal plane at VNY
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