Dallas Cowboys

Dallas had an NFL team in 1952 that subsequently moved to Baltimore. On July 29, 1959, Lamar Hunt's American Football League (AFL) began operating with franchises in Dallas and other cities. Less than a month later, the NFL decided to expand in response. That October, NFL expansion committee chairman and Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL), competing in the NFC North. They play at Soldier Field in Chicago and are headquartered at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. The franchise originated as the Staley Starch Company's team in Decatur, Illinois, and joined the American Professional Football Association, later renamed the NFL, as a charter member on September 17, 1920. One of two surviving NFL charter franchises, the team adopted its current name in 1922. The Bears have won nine league championships, including Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. The McCaskey family has controlled the team since founder George Halas died in 1983.Open the full entry owner George Halas announced in Chicago that Clint Murchison Jr. and his partner Bedford Wynne would own a new Dallas franchise, priced at $600,000. The NFL formally approved the expansion team at its annual meeting in Miami Beach on January 28, 1960, making it the league's 13th franchise.⁠[1][2][2][2][2][2][2][3][1]

Murchison hired Tex Schramm as general manager, Tom Landry as head coach and Gil Brandt as player personnel director. Because the 1960 college draft had already taken place when the franchise was approved, its initial roster had to be selected from unprotected players on the other 12 teams.⁠[4][1]

During the team's formation, it was publicly known as the Dallas Rangers. Because a minor league baseball team in Dallas already used that name, Murchison and Schramm decided to change it, choosing Cowboys in mid-March 1960. The franchise officially became the Dallas Cowboys on April 8, 1960.⁠[2][2][2][2][2][3]

On September 24, 1960, the Cowboys played their first league game at the Cotton Bowl, losing 28–35 to the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are an NFL professional American football team founded by Arthur J. Rooney in 1933. They compete in the AFC North and play at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Originally called the Pirates, they adopted the Steelers name in 1940 and won six Super Bowls under Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin. Mike McCarthy became head coach in 2026.Open the full entry. In their inaugural season, they were designated a swing team and played each of the other 12 teams once. Their 0–11–1 record was listed in the Western Conference standings. With the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are an NFL professional American football team awarded a franchise in 1960 and beginning play in 1961. An NFC North club, they won the 1969-season NFL championship and have appeared in four Super Bowls. A Wilf family-led ownership group owns the team, Kevin O’Connell is head coach, and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is its home.Open the full entry joining the league in 1961, Dallas became a permanent member of the Eastern Conference. On September 17 that year, it beat the Steelers 27–24 for its first league victory.⁠[3][3][3][3][5]

None of the Cowboys' first six seasons produced a winning record; they reached .500 with a 7–7 finish in 1965. In 1966, they went 10–3–1 to win the Eastern Conference but lost 27–34 to the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an NFL professional American football team formed in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1919 and admitted to the NFL’s predecessor, the APFA, in 1921. A community-owned nonprofit organization, they play at Lambeau Field in Green Bay and have won 13 NFL championships, including four Super Bowls.Open the full entry in the NFL Championship Game at the Cotton Bowl. They returned to the championship game the next year and again lost to the Packers in the final moments, 17–21. Played in temperatures of minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit, the game became known as the Ice Bowl. From 1966 through 1985, the Cowboys had 20 consecutive winning seasons, including 18 playoff appearances, 13 division championships and five trips to the Super Bowl. A 7–9 finish in 1986 ended the streak.⁠[1][1][1][1][4][6][6]

The Cowboys won their first National Football Conference (NFC) championship in the 1970 season. In Super Bowl V on January 17, 1971, however, they lost 13–16 to the Baltimore Colts on a last-second field goal.⁠[1][1][7]

In 1967, Murchison announced that the Cowboys would build their own stadium in the Dallas suburb of Irving. Texas Stadium opened on October 24, 1971, with a 44–21 Cowboys victory over New England. The team had previously played at the Cotton Bowl near downtown Dallas. Texas Stadium served as its home for 38 seasons and hosted its final game on December 20, 2008.⁠[4][4][6][1][6]

The Cowboys won another NFC championship in the 1971 season and defeated the Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are an NFL professional American football team in the AFC East. Awarded an AFL franchise in 1965, they began play in 1966 and now use Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Under Don Shula, they won Super Bowls VII and VIII, including a 17–0 regular season and postseason in 1972. Stephen M. Ross owns the team, and Jeff Hafley is head coach.Open the full entry 24–3 in Super Bowl VI in New Orleans on January 16, 1972. It was the team's first Super Bowl championship, and quarterback Roger Staubach was named Most Valuable Player.⁠[1][6][7]

On January 18, 1976, the Cowboys lost 17–21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X. On January 15, 1978, they defeated the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are an NFL professional American football team awarded an AFL charter franchise in 1959 and beginning play in 1960. They play at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, and won Super Bowls XXXII, XXXIII and 50. The Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group took over in 2022.Open the full entry 27–10 in Super Bowl XII in New Orleans for their second championship. Defensive linemen Harvey Martin and Randy White shared the Most Valuable Player award.⁠[7][6][6][1]

During the 1978 season, NFL Films editor-in-chief Bob Ryan called the Cowboys America's Team because of their nationwide appeal and popularity. The team of the 1970s and early 1980s became known by that name. It reached its fifth Super Bowl that season but again lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31–35, in Super Bowl XIII on January 21, 1979.⁠[1][4][1][7]

In 1984, the Murchison family sold the team to an 11-member limited partnership led by Dallas businessman Bum Bright (H.R. Bright). NFL owners approved the transaction at the league's annual meeting in Honolulu on March 19, and the sale closed on May 18.⁠[6][1]

On November 29, 1983, construction began on the team's new headquarters and training facility at Valley Ranch in northwest Dallas County. Players and coaches first reported to the new headquarters on August 27, 1985. The team left its previous corrugated metal building at Forest and Abrams.⁠[6][6][1]

The Cowboys finished the 1988 season 3–13. After the season, Bright reduced his asking price to $140 million: $65 million for the team and $75 million for Texas Stadium. Jerry Jones and Bright finalized the financial terms in Dallas on February 23, 1989. On February 25, they reached an agreement for Jones to acquire the team and the lease to operate Texas Stadium. It was the first sale of a sports franchise for more than $100 million. Jones contributed approximately $90 million in cash and borrowed the remainder. When he took over, the team was losing nearly $1 million a month.⁠[4][8][8][6][1][9][8][8]

Jones immediately announced that University of Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson would replace Tom Landry, who had coached the Cowboys for their first 29 seasons. On April 18, NFL owners unanimously approved the sale at a special meeting in New York. At the same meeting, Tex Schramm was appointed president of the newly established World League of American Football. He then announced his resignation as Cowboys president and general manager, ending 29 years with the team.⁠[6][1][6][6]

In Johnson's first season as coach, the team went 1–15. It subsequently rebuilt through the draft and trades, selecting quarterback Troy Aikman first overall in 1989. On October 12 that year, it traded Herschel Walker to Minnesota for five players, six conditional draft choices and a 1992 first-round pick. Emmitt Smith was among the players acquired as a result of the trade. On January 31, 1993, the Cowboys defeated the Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are an NFL professional American football team established through an AFL charter franchise awarded to Ralph Wilson in 1959, with play beginning in 1960. They won AFL titles in 1964 and 1965 and reached four consecutive Super Bowls after the 1990–1993 seasons. Their home is Orchard Park, New York, where the new Highmark Stadium opened in 2026.Open the full entry 52–17 in Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Aikman was named Most Valuable Player. It was the team's first Super Bowl appearance since 1978.⁠[4][1][6][6][6][6][6][7]

On January 30, 1994, the Cowboys again defeated the Buffalo Bills, 30–13, in Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. They retained the championship, and Emmitt Smith was named Most Valuable Player. Johnson resigned as head coach on March 29. Barry Switzer succeeded him the next day, becoming the third head coach in franchise history.⁠[6][6][7][6]

On January 28, 1996, the Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27–17 in Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The victory secured their fifth Super Bowl championship and made them the first team to win three in four years. Cornerback Larry Brown, who made two interceptions, was named Most Valuable Player.⁠[6][6][1][1][7]

On November 2, 2004, Arlington voters approved a public-private partnership with the Cowboys to build a retractable-roof stadium. Construction began in April 2006. HKS Architects designed the stadium, with capacity for up to 100,000 people, and Jerry Jones was the driving force behind its conception and development. The venue, then called Cowboys Stadium, opened with a ceremony on May 27, 2009. Its first Cowboys regular-season game, against the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are an NFL professional American football team founded in 1925 and competing in the NFC East. They have won eight league championships, including four Super Bowls, and have a long association with the Mara and Tisch families. The Giants share MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the New York Jets. John Harbaugh became head coach in 2026.Open the full entry on September 20, drew 105,121 spectators. The stadium hosted Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011.⁠[6][6][6][6][10][6][6][6]

At a press conference on July 25, 2013, the Cowboys and AT&T announced an expansion of their longstanding partnership. The stadium was renamed AT&T Stadium with immediate effect.⁠[11][11][6]

On August 13, 2013, the City of Frisco and Frisco Independent School District announced a partnership with the Cowboys that designated Frisco as the team's future headquarters and training location. After 31 years at Valley Ranch, the Cowboys held their final practice there on June 16, 2016, and moved into The Star in Frisco that July. The Star officially opened on August 21, when the team held its first practice at the new headquarters. The 91-acre campus includes Ford Center, an indoor facility shared by the Cowboys, the City of Frisco and the school district's high schools.⁠[6][6][6][6][12][12]

On April 13, 2022, Jerry Jones and Blockchain.com co-founder and chief executive Peter Smith announced at The Star that Blockchain.com would become the Cowboys' exclusive digital asset partner. Jones said the team was proud to be the first in the NFL to enter an official cryptocurrency partnership. The agreement included club space at AT&T Stadium, prominent signage within the stadium bowl, and television, radio and digital advertising.⁠[13][13][13][13][13]

On January 24, 2025, Brian Schottenheimer succeeded Mike McCarthy as the 10th head coach in franchise history. Schottenheimer had served as offensive coordinator for the previous two seasons.⁠[6][14]

As of October 2026, the Cowboys had had three successive owners: Clint Murchison Jr., Bum Bright and Jerry Jones. Jerry Jones was owner, president and general manager. Co-owners Stephen Jones, Charlotte Jones and Jerry Jones Jr. served as chief operating officer, chief brand officer, and chief sales and marketing officer, respectively. Brian Schottenheimer was head coach.⁠[1][15][15][16][17]

In September 2026, ForbesForbesForbes is an American business media brand that began with Forbes magazine, founded by B.C. Forbes in 1917. It is known for rankings such as the Forbes 400, the World’s Billionaires list and 30 Under 30, and operates Forbes.com, ForbesLive events and licensed editions in 81 countries. Since 2014 a majority stake has been held by the Hong Kong investment group Integrated Whale Media; a 2021 plan to list on the New York Stock Exchange through a special purpose acquisition company was terminated in 2022. It is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.Open the full entry estimated the team's enterprise value, defined as equity plus net debt, at $17 billion, the highest in its NFL team valuation ranking. It also estimated revenue for the 2025 season at $1.3 billion.⁠[18][18][18][18]

At the start of the 2026 season, the team's all-time record was 576 wins, 432 losses and seven ties. It had won eight NFC championships, in the 1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1992, 1993 and 1995 seasons, and had a 5–3 record in its eight Super Bowl appearances. A member of the NFC East, the team had won 22 division titles, most recently in the 2023 season.⁠[5][5][1][17][6][5]

Dallas Cowboys: Official website: https://www.dallascowboys.com/ (opens in a new window) .⁠[19]

AT&T Stadium: Official website: https://attstadium.com/ (opens in a new window) .⁠[20]

The Star in Frisco: Official website: https://thestarinfrisco.com/ (opens in a new window) .⁠[12]

X: Public account: https://x.com/DallasCowboys (opens in a new window)⁠[19]

YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: Public account: https://www.youtube.com/@DallasCowboys (opens in a new window)⁠[21]

LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: Public account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dallascowboys/ (opens in a new window)⁠[22]