Why Jerry Jones is the smartest owner

Jerry Jones is the smartest owner in professional sports.

Forbes Magazine ranked the Dallas Cowboys in 2009 worth $1.65 billion, only second to Manchester United of the English Premier League, a soccer team. Not a bad improvement from the $150 million he bought it fore in 1989. Three Super Bowls later he has shown just how smart he is.

He is smart because he is making himself, the NFL, and other owners money. He has helped boost the NFL to the most watched and most profitable sports league in perhaps the world. He has built the most talked about venue in the U.S.

Call it the Death Star, Jerry World, or whatever you may it is a sight to behold. It makes the Astrodome, the 8th Wonder of the World, look like a shed. The recently completed new Cowboys stadium in Arlington, TX has a price tag of $1.2 billion, of which Arlington fronted $325 million and Jerry the rest. The stadium will host Super Bowl 45 this coming season. It has played host already to college football and basketball games, the Big XII football championship, a boxing match, a rodeo, motocross, concerts, the NBA All Star game, and more.

This venue is putting money in Jerry's pocket and helping him pay off his debt. Odds are he will pay it off in 5 years or less. It's more than a stadium, it is THE place to hold an event. Future events include NCAA Basketball Final Fours, UFC fights, and who knows what--perhaps even a Republican or Democratic convention?

Furthermore, look for other owners in the NFL to build their own multipurpose stadiums. Now they do not have the cash to outdo Jerry but they see the future--stadiums that can host many events. Owners who can earn extra revenue from stadiums to help pay for their players' signing bonuses.

Jerry Jones is not selfish and has in fact has helped others make money. Since joining the league Jerry has helped the NFL evolve from just a sport people watch on Sundays to a business. He has brought innovation via marketing deals and sponsorships. He doesn't need a sponsor name for the stadium. Look inisde--he has sponsors lined up from Ford (cars/trucks), to Wingstoop (official wing), Miller Brewing (beer), and the list goes on. The Cowboys are one of the biggest brand names in the sports world. From jerseys, merchandise, to the crazy training camp scene--it's all Cowboys all the time. The Cowboys' jerseys and merchandise are one of the top sellers in the league. Jerry pushed for the Cowboys to be on the HBO series Hard Knocks, a show about NFL training camp, a staple. Teams WANT to be on it. Exposure means money. Jerry has shown fellow owners how to manage their brands. He has had a hand in the labor agreements between the league and players as well as the television contracts. Ratings for NFL games are at an all time high.

Because Jerry is so smart I find it hard to believe that the NFL and its players will fail to come to an agreement and risk a lockout and a stoppage of play for the 2011-2012 season. He will find a way to make both sides compromise. Make no mistake, he will not let the cash cow of the NFL fall backwards to the depths of the NHL.