Could Mark Cuban become a Dallas Cowboys owner? Here’s what we know

The possibility of Mark Cuban becoming involved with the Dallas Cowboys has quickly captured attention across the NFL landscape. After comments from owner Jerry Jones indicating he would be “open” to the idea, the question remains about how practical a deal like this is, and how it could actually happen.

How could Mark Cuban buy into the Cowboys?

While the notion of Cuban buying the Cowboys outright is unrealistic, current NFL rules do leave the door open for a different type of arrangement. In recent years, the league has relaxed its ownership structure guidelines, allowing franchises to sell minority stakes to outside investors, including private equity groups.

Any such move, however, must still be approved by fellow team owners, making the process both selective and tightly controlled. Cuban’s interest would most likely translate into the purchase of a minority share rather than any form of controlling ownership.

How much would a Cowboys stake cost?

That distinction is important given the Cowboys’ valuation, which is widely estimated to be around $13 billion. Even a relatively small percentage would represent a significant financial commitment. A one percent stake alone would cost in the region of $130 million, while a larger share could quickly climb into the hundreds of millions or even surpass the billion-dollar mark.

For Cuban, who sold his majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks for approximately $3.5 billion and remains one of the most prominent figures in American sports business, such figures are substantial but far from prohibitive.

Would Mark Cuban have any real power?

Even so, any involvement from Cuban would not signal a shift in control. Jones, who has owned the franchise since 1989, would remain in charge of football and business operations. A minority investor typically has limited influence over day-to-day decisions, meaning Cuban’s role would likely center on strategic or commercial input rather than personnel or coaching matters.

Why is Jerry Jones open to this now?

Jones’ willingness to consider outside investment represents a notable change. For years, the Cowboys owner resisted the idea of bringing in additional partners, preferring to maintain full control of the organization. However, evolving NFL policies, combined with the financial flexibility that comes from selling a small stake, appear to have changed the landscape. Jones has also been openly complimentary of Cuban, citing his success in transforming the Mavericks into a championship-winning franchise and a globally recognized brand.

Why does Mark Cuban want into the NFL now?

For Cuban, the interest marks a significant moment in his relationship with the NFL. More than a decade ago, he was openly critical of the league’s long-term trajectory, suggesting it could eventually lose its dominant position in American sports. Instead, the NFL has only grown stronger, and Cuban’s recent investment activity, including involvement in baseball, signals a clear desire to expand his footprint across major leagues.

At this stage, no formal agreement is in place, and any potential deal would still require approval from NFL ownership. However, the alignment of interest from both sides, combined with a regulatory environment that now supports minority investment, means the possibility cannot be dismissed.

For now, it remains a developing situation rather than an imminent transaction. But if discussions were to progress, the addition of a figure like Cuban to the Cowboys’ ownership group would represent one of the most high-profile business moves in the NFL in recent years.

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