The Dallas Desperados were a professional arena football team based in Dallas, Texas . They played in the Eastern Division of the Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008 .
45-474: The franchise began as an expansion team and posted a winning record in all but one season. It was owned by Jerry Jones , who also owns the Dallas Cowboys . His son-in-law Shy Anderson was the chief operating officer and oversaw the day-to-day operations. The team folded effective August 4, 2009, upon the dissolution of the original AFL. Unlike former owners of most defunct AFL teams, Jones maintains
90-430: A 2013 Pepsi commercial, walking into an elevator filled with three men wearing New York Giants apparel, who look at him with discontent. He was parodied on the first episode, " Go Fund Yourself ", of the eighteenth season of South Park , along with several other NFL team owners. In one scene, Jones is depicted as having huge, bulging chameleon -like eyes, as a young woman's head pops up from his lap. He reappears in
135-762: A 30–2 owners' vote in favor. Jones' support and role in the negotiations were criticized by some fans and sports media in St. Louis. Jones was also a key proponent of the Oakland Raiders' move to Las Vegas to play at Allegiant Stadium . Jones was fined $ 25,000 by the NFL for publicly criticizing referee Ed Hochuli after Hochuli made a call in a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos on September 14, 2008. Jones made comments both to
180-539: A 6–10 record his rookie season as coach. The team improved to 8–7–1 the following season and barely missed making the playoffs, and under the helm of quarterback/offensive coordinator Clint Dolezel , posted a 13–3 record in 2006 and made their first appearance in an AFL conference championship game, losing to the Orlando Predators . The following season saw the Desperados post an AFL record fifteen wins and
225-544: A consensus All-American offensive tackle ; Ken Hatfield , who went on to coach several major programs including Arkansas; Jim Lindsey ; future Outland Trophy winner Loyd Phillips ; and College Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ronnie Caveness . Several future head coaches were assistant coaches for Broyles on the Razorbacks ' staff during Jones' college career in Fayetteville , including three more members of
270-481: A court decision required Jones to undergo a paternity test concerning the woman's claim. In November 2022, a 1957 photo surfaced depicting a 14-year-old Jerry Jones witnessing an argument where White students attempted to prevent six African-American students from entering North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. North Little Rock was beginning to integrate in 1957. Despite the school's head football coach ordering
315-568: A polarizing figure among fans. Notably, he mended relations with Johnson in 2023, inducting him into the Cowboys Ring of Honor. Jones also influenced team relocations and faced fines from the NFL for public comments on officiating and labor issues. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, Jones has been a recipient of various honors. He has an estimated net worth of $ 8.5 billion, mainly from his Cowboys ownership. Jones
360-635: A significant level of success as a football player. According to an interview with Jones on HBO , after graduating from college in 1965, he borrowed a million dollars from Jimmy Hoffa 's Teamsters union to open up a string of Shakey's Pizza Parlor restaurants in Missouri. When that venture failed, Jones was given a job at his father's insurance company, Modern Security Life of Springfield, Missouri. He received his master's degree in business in 1970. After several other unsuccessful business ventures (including an attempt, again using Teamsters money, to purchase
405-449: A slow start under Jones and Johnson (the first season under Jones , a 1–15 finish, remains second only to the team's inaugural season in terms of futility), they quickly built a team often considered one of the best NFL franchises of the 1990s. The Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVII in the 1992 season , as well as Super Bowl XXVIII the following year . Johnson then departed and was replaced by Barry Switzer , who won Super Bowl XXX in
450-606: A successful insurance company. Jones attended the University of Arkansas , co-captaining the 1964 national championship football team . Following graduation, he became an executive vice president at his family's insurance company. After selling it, the Joneses established Buena Vista Animal Paradise. In 1989, Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $ 140 million, and swiftly replaced Tom Landry with Jimmy Johnson as
495-469: A suitable replacement available. Some of the fan criticism is due to Jones's high visibility and involvement as the "face of the team", a contrast to both Bright and the Cowboys' original owner, Clint Murchison Jr. Jones's prominent role has led to fans expressing displeasure with Jones and the lack of success of the franchise, with particular criticism of Jones serving as his own general manager. There
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#1732781032988540-628: Is an American businessman who is the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He bought the team from Bum Bright in 1989. Jones was born in Los Angeles, California, and moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas as a child. His parents owned an independent grocery store. Jones was a running back at North Little Rock High School, graduating in 1960. Afterward, his family moved to Springfield, Missouri , where his father led
585-657: Is the Cowboys' chief sales and marketing officer/vice president. Jones splits his time between a home in Highland Park, Texas and a home in Destin, Florida . Jones revealed in July 2015 at a press conference before Cowboys training camp that he had undergone hip replacement surgery, joking that he wouldn't start the season on the PUP list . As of December 2019 , Jones' net worth is reported by Forbes to be $ 8.5 billion,
630-420: The 1995 season . At the time of the sale, the financially troubled Bright claimed to be losing $ 1 million per month on the franchise. During Jones' tenure, the Cowboys have appreciated in value to an estimated $ 5.5 billion, turning its owner into a billionaire in the process. Much of the league's financial success since 1989 has been credited to Jones himself. In particular, he was decisive in securing Fox as
675-629: The American Football League 's San Diego Chargers in 1966), he began an oil and gas exploration business in Arkansas , Jones Oil and Land Lease, which became successful. His privately held company currently does natural resource prospecting. In 2008, Jones formed a partnership with Yankee Global Enterprises to create Legends Hospitality , a food, beverage, merchandise, retail, and stadium operations corporation serving entertainment venues. On February 25, 1989, Jones purchased
720-505: The Cincinnati Bengals are the only two active NFL owners who have the title or powers of general manager. Jones stated that working as his own general manager helps streamline decision-making and communication lines with the coaching staff. Over Jones' tenure, Cowboys fans have organized a number of grassroots efforts to displace Jones from his position. Jones is the subject of the 2008 book Playing to Win by David Magee. In
765-494: The University of Arkansas , where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He was co-captain of Arkansas' 1964 national championship football team. He was an offensive lineman for College Football Hall of Fame coach Frank Broyles and a teammate of college football and NFL coach Jimmy Johnson , whom Jones hired as his first head coach after purchasing the Cowboys. Other notable teammates were Glen Ray Hines ,
810-523: The intellectual property rights to the Desperados. During a halftime interview at a Cowboys preseason game on August 12, 2000, Jerry Jones revealed to Babe Laufenberg that the AFL had granted him an expansion franchise to begin play in 2001. On November 14, 2001, Dallas officially joined the AFL. The team was originally going to be named the "Dallas Texans", following in the footsteps of Dallas' former AFL franchise which existed from 1990 to 1993, when he sold
855-423: The season 21 episode " Moss Piglets ." NFL NCAA Media Halls of Fame Other Jones married Eugenia Chambers in 1963, whom he met while both were college undergraduates. They have three children. Stephen is the Cowboys' chief operating officer, executive vice president, and director of player personnel. Charlotte is the Cowboys' executive vice president and chief brand officer. Jerry Jones Jr.
900-544: The 1998 made-for-television reunion movie Dallas: War of the Ewings . Jones and Deion Sanders appeared together in several television commercials during Sanders' time with the Cowboys. Jones also appeared as himself in a 1996 episode of the TV show Coach and in a 2007 television commercial for Diet Pepsi MAX , which also featured then Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and quarterback Tony Romo . He appeared as himself in
945-481: The College Football Hall of Fame: Hayden Fry ( Southern Methodist University , North Texas State University , and the University of Iowa ); Johnny Majors ( Iowa State University , University of Pittsburgh , and the University of Tennessee ), and Barry Switzer ( University of Oklahoma , and later head coach of the Cowboys under Jones). Jones is one of a very small number of NFL owners who had
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#1732781032988990-566: The Cowboys Ring of Honor for 30 years. On November 19, 2023, Jones announced that Johnson would be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor on December 30 of that year. Jones also initially promised Bill Parcells , the Cowboys' head coach from 2003 through 2006 , complete control over football matters; however, their relationship broke down after Jones signed controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens . Parcells' successor, Wade Phillips , complained to friends about being "undermined and second-guessed, repeatedly" by Jones. Jones and Mike Brown of
1035-539: The Cowboys from H. R. "Bum" Bright for $ 140 million (equivalent to $ 300 million in 2023). Soon after the purchase, he fired longtime coach Tom Landry , to that point the only coach in the team's history, in favor of his old teammate at Arkansas, Jimmy Johnson . At the time Johnson was head coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes , which he had led to a national championship in 1987 . A few months later, Jones fired longtime general manager Tex Schramm and assumed complete control over football matters. After
1080-433: The Cowboys had done poorly the last few seasons before Jones became 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 did not discuss the matter with Landry before announcing the decision. This was denounced by football fans and media as lacking class and respect, as pride and tradition were part of
1125-507: The Cowboys, where great performance and loyal service were expected to be rewarded. Since the dismissal, Jones indicated that he regrets the process of Landry's firing and his role in it. It later emerged that Jones' predecessor, Bright, had been dissatisfied with Landry for years and offered to relieve Jones of the inevitable criticism by dismissing the longtime coach himself prior to selling the team. Bright had wanted to fire Landry as early as 1987, only to have Schramm tell him that there wasn't
1170-467: The NFC's primary broadcaster at a time when the traditional "Big Three" networks were trying to convince the league into accepting a rollback in television rights fees. Increased television revenues have played a decisive role in securing the NFL's place as the world's richest sports league, with revenues of well over $ 10 billion per season. The 2020 NFL season was Jones's 32nd as Cowboys owner, longer than
1215-545: 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 Rams owner Stan Kroenke in 2016. He was instrumental in brokering a deal between 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
1260-421: The combined tenures of his predecessors. 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 longtime Cowboys personnel who were fan favorites, head coach Tom Landry and general manager Tex Schramm , even though
1305-623: The company, the Joneses assembled the 5,500-acre (2,200 ha) Buena Vista Ranch east of Springfield in Rogersville, Missouri , in the Ozark Mountains . In 1971, after selling the insurance company, the couple carved out 400 acres (160 ha) of their ranch to start Buena Vista Animal Paradise, where tourists could visit exotic animals (now Wild Animal Safari in Strafford, Missouri , just south of Interstate 44 ). Jones attended
1350-942: The game with an extra point, they elected to go for the win with a two-point conversion. VooDoo Quarterback Steve Bellisari dropped back and was sacked by 2007 AFL lineman of the year Colston Weatherington on the ten. The game was over along with the VooDoo playoff hopes. In the end, Dallas won 80–79. The game was voted 2007 "Game of the Year" leaguewide in July 2007. Fullbacks Wide receivers Defensive backs Kickers Practice Squad Rookies in italics Roster updated July 26, 2008 19 Active, 8 Inactive The following Desperados players were named to All-Arena Teams: The following Desperados players were named to All-Ironman Teams: The following Desperados players were named to All-Rookie Teams: Jerry Jones Jerral Wayne Jones Sr. (born October 13, 1942)
1395-416: The game. But Dallas Quarterback Clint Dolezel threw a touchdown with 30 seconds left on the clock to give the Desperados the lead. On the ensuing kickoff, the VooDoo fielded the ball off the net and found themselves looking at a long way to the endzone from their own one-yard line. They managed to put together a lengthy drive and were able to score with 1.7 seconds left to make the score 80–79. Rather than tie
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1440-534: The head coach. Under Jones, the team achieved success, winning Super Bowl XXVII , XXVIII , and XXX . Jones stands out as an NFL owner with a successful football player background. Despite initial criticism for firing beloved personnel, Jones' leadership elevated the franchise's value to an estimated $ 10 billion. He played a pivotal role in securing lucrative TV deals, contributing to the NFL's financial prosperity. Criticized for his high visibility and controversial decisions as both owner and general manager, Jones remains
1485-512: The league placed the Desperados in the South Division after the team had spent five seasons as an Eastern Division powerhouse. With the exception of one playoff game and the entirety of the 2003 season, the Desperados played all of their home games at American Airlines Center . The team's official mascot was Kid Coyote. On June 9, 2007, the Desperados faced the 4–9 New Orleans VooDoo . The 13–1 Desperados found themselves losing late in
1530-493: The line", drawing a "six-figure" fine, sources said, as the commissioner distributed a memo to all 32 owners, along with a reminder that the gag order remains in effect. Goodell did not disclose the specific amount of Jones's fine in the memo. Jones was the inspiration for the character Baxter Cain ( Robert Vaughn ), owner of the Dallas Felons, in the 1998 film BASEketball . He had a brief cameo appearance as himself in
1575-512: The majority of which can be accounted for as being his ownership stake in the Cowboys who are currently valued by the same publication to be the world's most valuable sports team at $ 5 billion. In March 2022, Jones was served with legal action by a 25-year-old woman who claimed that he is her biological father. The woman is the daughter of a former airline employee that Jones met in Little Rock, Arkansas . Jones has paid nearly $ 3 million to
1620-432: The press and on his radio show, saying Hochuli was one of the most criticized officials in the NFL. This was Jones' first fine by the NFL. In 2009, Jones was fined $ 100,000 for violating a gag order on labor issues, commenting that revenue sharing was "on its way out". Commissioner Roger Goodell had issued a gag order for all owners and team executives from discussing any aspect of the pending labor issues. Jones "crossed
1665-457: The rights to the name "Texans" for $ 10 million to the new Houston franchise. After a contest in which fans voted via the team's official website, the new Dallas team was eventually named the Desperados. Jones appointed Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano as head coach, and on November 21, 2001, in the AFL expansion draft, they acquired their first player, lineman Aaron Hamilton. Avezzano, along with starting quarterback Andy Kelly , led
1710-528: The seventh season of the HBO series Entourage in 2010, in an episode of the TNT incarnation of Dallas titled "Truth and Consequences", which aired on July 4, 2012, in a series of commercials for the 2012 season of ESPN's Monday Night Football , and in the season 4 premiere of The League . In 2013, Jones narrated a documentary film on former teammate and business partner Jim Lindsey . Jones also appeared in
1755-455: The team (which Jones was a part of) to stay away from such scenes, Jones said he was there as a curious bystander. Jones also stated: "I don't know that I or anybody anticipated or had a background of knowing what was involved. It was more a curious thing." Jones has expressed regret in not doing more to help the Black students feel more accepted at Little Rock. All-Arena From Misplaced Pages,
1800-613: The team appeared destined to make their first ArenaBowl appearance, but they were shocked by the Columbus Destroyers , who had entered the playoffs with a 7–9 record, in the first round. The upset is ranked by many among the greatest of all time. The following season saw no relief to the postseason failure as the Desperados at 12–4 lost to the 8–8 New York Dragons in Dallas . After the New Orleans VooDoo folded,
1845-432: The team to a respectable 7–7 record and a playoff appearance in the team's first season of play, and a 10–6 record and a second consecutive playoff berth in 2003 under new quarterback Jim Kubiak. He was fired from the Cowboys staff that season, then resigned as Desperados head coach when he accepted a job with the Oakland Raiders . Before the 2004 season, Jones hired Will McClay to replace Avezzano, and McClay struggled to
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1890-447: The woman and her mother, which included the woman's full tuition at Southern Methodist University and a $ 70,000 Range Rover on her 16th birthday. Requests for money and other expenses exceeded the amount that Jones agreed to pay in the trust agreement between the parties by nearly $ 1 million over the years, including $ 33,000 for a "Sweet 16" birthday party, which was featured on the reality TV show Big Rich Texas . On February 29, 2024,
1935-525: Was born in Los Angeles, California , to John "Pat" and Arminta Jones. The family moved back to North Little Rock, Arkansas , in 1945. His parents owned two branches of Pat's Super Market in the Rose City neighborhood of North Little Rock. Jones was a running back at North Little Rock High School , graduating in 1960. After his graduation, Jones' parents moved to Springfield, Missouri , where Pat
1980-460: Was particular criticism of Jones over his conflict with head coach Jimmy Johnson , as Jones "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" because he had the final say in football matters and refused to relinquish this power. Consequently, Jones ousted Johnson after the 1993 season despite two consecutive Super Bowl wins, and refused to induct Johnson into
2025-409: Was president and chairman of Modern Security Life Insurance Co. The company, which an advertisement billed as a "one in a million" company, saw its assets increase from $ 440,299.76 in its first statement in 1961 to $ 6,230,607 in 1965 ($ 4,643,041.96 to $ 62,365,606.91 in 2024). After graduating from the University of Arkansas , Jerral W. Jones was listed as an executive vice president. With the success of
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