Troy Aikman Reacts: Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones 'Greatest Businessman in Sports'?

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman believes the NFL would look very different if not for Jerry Jones - the "greatest businessman in sports''? - buying the team.

Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys for over 30 years now, and he's forged quite the legacy in that time.

The Cowboys saw plenty of early success under Jones, winning three Super Bowls in his first decade in charge. While the team hasn't been as successful lately, Jones has kept the franchise at the top of the news cycle constantly, for better or worse. He has also increased the franchise's value immensely, as the Cowboys are now by far the most valuable team in the league at over $9 billion, up from the mere $150 million Jones bought the club for in 1989.

The NFL world has gotten to witness Jones' eventful tenure as Cowboys owner, but one man who's had a front-row seat the entire team is former Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman. The Hall of Fame quarterback was the Cowboys' first ever draft pick under Jones, and he led the team to its dynastic run through the 1990s. 

Even as he moved up to the broadcast booth, Aikman has always been very close to the franchise - and has often been critical of Jones' management of "America's Team.'' But ...

“I think when the story is written about the NFL and the current group of people who have impacted it," Aikman said this week, “Jerry Jones is going to have a very prominent place in the history of our of our game.”

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former quarterback Troy Aikman shake hands during a presentation

On Monday, Aikman was asked during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show if Jones was the greatest businessman in sports. Being so close to the Cowboys' colorful owner, Aikman gave quite the insightful answer.

“That’s a big list if you’re saying 'history of sports,' but I do know that this league would look a lot different than it does right now had it not been for Jerry Jones buying the Cowboys in 1989,” Aikman said. “Because, you know, he really is the one who brought Fox into the picture when they were bidding on the NFL. And then from that TV revenue, of course, went through the roof with the rights to broadcast NFL games and how that’s changed. Of course, the profitability for these teams, and the valuations of the teams but also for the players.”

Joining us NOW @TroyAikman 👏#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/2EKmW2NDzQ

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 25, 2023

Jones helping to get Fox into the NFL world was especially important for Aikman, who spent over two decades as the network's top color commentator. If not for Jones, Aikman's post-football career may have looked very different as well.

Regardless of any bumps along the way, Aikman firmly believes that Jones has earned his place among the most-influential figures in NFL history.