Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responded to criticism over his recent Wall Street Journal quote, in which he alluded to spending time on oil and gas ventures rather than immediately improving the team’s defense. Jones sought to clarify his comments, insisting that his diverse professional commitments are part of the larger goal of strengthening the Cowboys.
“It’s no secret at all that ever since I’ve been involved, my days are involved — in a manner of speaking — in many areas,” Jones said.
“I frankly don’t know many people in football that don’t have their days involved in different areas — to what degree is of course debatable. This is called professional football to make a point. That means it takes money to make it all go. Money.
And so any time that I’m doing anything that’s away from looking at a specific player and how he’s playing defense, it has to do with the latter. And ultimately, that latter leads ultimately to the benefit of the Cowboys.”
Jones’ statement comes after fans and analysts criticized him for seemingly prioritizing business interests over football matters. His WSJ quote, which mentioned a $100 billion opportunity in oil and gas, sparked outrage among Cowboys supporters who expect their owner to be fully focused on team performance — especially given the defense’s struggles this season.
By addressing the controversy, Jones framed his business activities as indirectly beneficial to the team, arguing that generating revenue and maintaining business ventures ultimately provides the financial resources needed to sustain a competitive roster.
Analysts remain divided on whether Jones’ explanation satisfies critics. Some see it as a reasonable clarification that owning a football team requires multitasking across several domains. Others, however, view it as an attempt to justify inattention to on-field shortcomings, particularly in areas where the Cowboys have underperformed.
Cowboys fans, meanwhile, remain vocal on social media, with many sharing mixed reactions. Some applaud Jones for his transparency, while others worry that his focus may still be too divided to address critical defensive issues before the season’s most important games.
As the team prepares for upcoming matchups, all eyes will be on whether Jones’ commitment to the Cowboys’ success — on and off the field — translates into tangible improvements in the team’s performance.
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