Dallas Cowboys
In 1959, oilman Clint Murchison Jr. stood at the center of a high-stakes negotiation that would reshape professional football in Texas. He had tried to buy the Washington Redskins from George Preston Marshall and move them to Dallas, but Marshall changed the terms at the last moment. Murchison walked away angry, yet he refused to let his dream die. When Marshall blocked any new franchise for Murchison, the NFL required unanimous approval from all owners. This meant one man could veto an entire city's entry into the league.
Murchison found an unlikely ally in Barnee Breeskin, the band leader who wrote the music for the Redskins fight song "Hail to the Redskins." Marshall's wife had written the lyrics, but Breeskin owned the rights to the melody. Angry with Marshall over their falling out, Breeskin approached Murchison's attorney to sell him the rights before the expansion vote. Murchison purchased the song for $2,500. Before the vote, he revealed to Marshall that he now owned the song and barred Marshall from playing it during games. After Marshall launched an expletive-laced tirade, Murchison sold the rights back to Marshall in exchange for his vote. That single vote against Murchison became the foundation of a rivalry that still burns today.
With the franchise secured, Murchison assembled a leadership trio that would guide the team for three decades. He hired CBS Sports executive Tex Schramm as team president and general manager. He brought in Gil Brandt, a scout from the San Francisco 49ers, to head player personnel. Finally, he appointed Tom Landry, the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, as head coach. This triumvirate would lead the Cowboys' football operations until the late 1980s.
Tom Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 through 1988, spanning nearly thirty years of professional football history. The team struggled initially, failing to win a game in their inaugural season. By 1965, they reached .500, but true dominance arrived when they won consecutive Eastern Conference titles in 1966 and 1967. They lost both NFL Championship Games to the Green Bay Packers, including the famous Ice Bowl in 1967.
From 1970 through 1979, the Cowboys won 105 regular-season games, more than any other franchise during that decade. They appeared in five Super Bowls, winning two: Super Bowl VI in 1971 and Super Bowl XII in 1977. In Super Bowl V, linebacker Chuck Howley became the first and only MVP not to come from the winning team after losing 16, 13 to the Baltimore Colts. Roger Staubach took over as quarterback mid-season in 1971, leading the team to an 11, 3 record and a victory over the Miami Dolphins by a score of 24, 3.
The nickname "America's Team" emerged after Bob Ryan, an NFL Films editor, dubbed them so following a Super Bowl loss in 1978. The moniker stuck despite derision from fans of rival teams. Landry's teams made the playoffs eight times between 1970 and 1982, though they missed the postseason twice in eighteen years. Defensive linemen Randy White and Harvey Martin shared co-Super Bowl MVP honors in 1977, the first time multiple players received the award. By 1988, the era ended with a 3, 13 record, marking the lowest point before a new ownership structure arrived.
On the 25th of February 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $150 million from H.R. "Bum" Bright during the savings and loan crisis. Jones immediately fired Tom Landry, the only head coach in franchise history, replacing him with Jimmy Johnson, his former teammate at the University of Arkansas. Johnson reunited with wide receiver Michael Irvin, who had played collegiately at Miami. The team selected UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman with the first pick in the draft.
Later that year, the Cowboys executed a trade sending running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for five veteran players and eight draft choices. This deal, known as "The Trade," allowed Dallas to rebuild rapidly despite finishing 1, 15 in 1989. Skillful drafts added fullback Daryl Johnston, center Mark Stepnoski, running back Emmitt Smith, defensive tackle Russell Maryland, offensive tackle Erik Williams, and safety Darren Woodson between 1989 and 1992.
By 1992, the Cowboys set a team record with 13 wins. They defeated the San Francisco 49ers 30, 20 on the 17th of January 1993, to clinch their first Super Bowl berth since 1978. In Super Bowl XXVII, they crushed the Buffalo Bills 52, 17, forcing nine turnovers. Johnson became the first coach to win a national championship in college football and a Super Bowl victory. The following season, they won Super Bowl XXVIII 30, 13 against the Bills, becoming the first team to win a Super Bowl after starting 0, 2.
Tony Romo served as the starting quarterback from 2006 through 2015, leading the team to multiple playoff appearances before retiring on the 4th of April 2017. His tenure included a 12, 4 regular-season record in 2014 and a dramatic wild-card victory over the Detroit Lions in 2015. However, injuries plagued his later years, including a broken collarbone in 2015 that forced him out of games.
In 2016, rookie Dak Prescott took over as starter after Romo suffered a preseason injury. Prescott led an eleven-game winning streak, finishing 13, 3 and tying the franchise's best regular-season record. He threw multiple touchdowns in five straight games, tying an NFL rookie record held by Russell Wilson and Dan Marino. Running back Ezekiel Elliott broke Tony Dorsett's single-season rushing record for a Cowboys rookie that same year.
Prescott was named NFL Rookie of the Year on the 4th of February 2017, while Elliott led the league in rushing yards. The duo made the Pro Bowl together, marking the first time two rookies were selected. Despite their success, the team missed the playoffs in 2017 due to a six-game suspension for Elliott following a conduct policy violation. Jason Garrett coached the team from 2010 through 2019 before being replaced by Mike McCarthy.
The Dallas Cowboys became the first sports team valued at $4 billion in 2015 according to Forbes. They reached $5 billion in 2018, holding the title of most valuable NFL team for twelve consecutive years. By late 2025, the franchise was worth approximately $13 billion, making it the most valuable global sports organization.
Revenue figures reflect this dominance. In 2014, the Cowboys generated $620 million, setting a record for U.S. sports teams. Their streak of 190 consecutive sold-out regular and post-season games began in 2002, demonstrating consistent fan engagement across home and away venues. This streak remains an NFL record.
The team's financial growth extended beyond ticket sales. In April 2022, they signed a multi-year contract with Blockchain.com, becoming the first NFL franchise to accept blockchain sponsorships. The stadium, renamed AT&T Stadium prior to the 2013 season, continues to generate significant revenue through naming rights deals and events. The franchise's ability to maintain high valuations while competing on the field underscores its unique position in modern sports economics.
Tex Schramm started the tradition of wearing white jerseys at home in 1964, contrary to unofficial rules requiring colored uniforms. He wanted fans to see opponents' colors and cited Texas heat as another reason. The blue star logo, representing Texas as "The Lone Star State," gained a white border and blue outline in 1967. The helmet design evolved from a solid blue shape to include a silver-blue tri-stripe down the center crown.
In 1994, the Cowboys unveiled a white "Double-Star" jersey for their 75th Anniversary celebration. This uniform was worn throughout the 1994, 95 playoffs and became synonymous with future head coach Jason Garrett. Throwback versions of the original 1960, 1963 uniforms appeared on Thanksgiving Day in 2004, 2007, and 2008. The team also introduced Color Rush uniforms in 2015, featuring navy jerseys with white pants and socks.
A purported curse developed around the blue jersey after losses in Super Bowl V and other games. Since 1964, the only season Dallas never wore blue in a regular game was 1972. They have won only two playoff games while wearing blue: the 1978 NFC Championship against the Rams and the 2022 Wild Card Round against the Buccaneers. As of 2025, the cumulative record stands at 101 wins, 104 losses, and three ties in blue uniforms.
Common questions
Who founded the Dallas Cowboys and when was the team established?
Oilman Clint Murchison Jr. founded the Dallas Cowboys in 1959 after failing to purchase the Washington Redskins franchise.
When did Jerry Jones buy the Dallas Cowboys and how much did he pay?
Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $150 million on the 25th of February 1989 from H.R. Bum Bright during the savings and loan crisis.
How many Super Bowls have the Dallas Cowboys won and which years were they?
The Dallas Cowboys have won two Super Bowls, claiming victory in Super Bowl VI in 1971 and Super Bowl XII in 1977.
What is the value of the Dallas Cowboys as of late 2025?
By late 2025, the Dallas Cowboys were worth approximately $13 billion, making it the most valuable global sports organization.
Which year did the Dallas Cowboys start wearing white jerseys at home games?
Tex Schramm started the tradition of wearing white jerseys at home in 1964 to allow fans to see opponents' colors and account for Texas heat.