Paul Finebaum Shares His Real Opinions About Jerry Jones, the Owner of the Dallas Cowboys

Paul Finebaum Shares His Real Opinions About Jerry Jones, the Owner of the Dallas Cowboys

Paul Finebaum, the celebrated SEC Network analyst and radio personality, is known for his candid and sometimes controversial opinions on all things college football. While he is a trusted voice within the SEC community, Finebaum has made his fair share of waves when discussing NFL personalities, including the iconic Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones. Jones, a figure who embodies both success and controversy, often finds himself at the center of Finebaum’s sharp commentary.

In this article, we will explore Paul Finebaum’s real opinions about Jerry Jones, addressing Finebaum’s views on Jones as an owner, his leadership style, and the way Jones’ persona impacts the Cowboys. Furthermore, we’ll discuss how Finebaum’s perspective on Jones reflects broader trends in sports media and the NFL, and why Finebaum’s opinions are worth paying attention to, especially when it comes to such a polarizing figure as Jerry Jones.

1. The Eccentricity and Personality of Jerry Jones

At the heart of Finebaum’s commentary on Jerry Jones is the larger-than-life personality that Jones has cultivated over the years. As the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, Jones is arguably one of the most influential and high-profile figures in all of sports. His persona transcends football, and he has become a pop culture icon, often in the spotlight for his lavish lifestyle, outspoken nature, and constant media presence.

For Finebaum, this larger-than-life image is both a blessing and a curse for Jones. On one hand, Finebaum acknowledges that Jones’ unique personality has made him a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. Jones is not just an owner—he is the face of the Cowboys and often uses his platform to command attention. Finebaum respects the way Jones has successfully branded himself and the Cowboys, turning the franchise into “America’s Team,” a label that has stuck despite the team’s lack of recent championship success.

However, Finebaum also sees the drawbacks of Jones’ tendency to dominate headlines. Finebaum has frequently criticized Jones for using his persona as a crutch to distract from the team’s on-field failures. Rather than focusing on building a cohesive and successful football operation, Jones’ penchant for constant media engagement and his presence on the sideline have sometimes overshadowed the team’s performance. Finebaum has pointed out that Jones’ need to be in the spotlight can sometimes create tension and prevent the Cowboys from being able to move past the noise that surrounds the franchise.

2. Jerry Jones as a General Manager: The Oversized Ego

One of Finebaum’s most consistent critiques of Jerry Jones is his role as the general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. While many NFL teams have a general manager whose job it is to manage player personnel decisions and oversee the scouting process, Jones has never been content to delegate that responsibility. From the moment he took control of the team in 1989, Jones has maintained a hands-on approach to running the Cowboys, frequently making high-profile decisions regarding the roster, coaching staff, and long-term strategy.

Finebaum has expressed doubt over the long-term efficacy of Jones’ decision to serve as both owner and general manager. While Jones’ business acumen has made the Cowboys one of the wealthiest franchises in sports, Finebaum believes that Jones’ ego often leads him to make decisions based on personal preference rather than sound football strategy. Finebaum has pointed to several key moments in Cowboys history where Jones’ influence as a general manager has led to questionable decisions, particularly when it comes to the hiring and firing of coaches.

For example, Finebaum has been vocal about Jones’ hiring of Jason Garrett as head coach and his reluctance to move on from him. Garrett, a former Cowboys quarterback, served as head coach for nearly a decade but failed to lead the team to a Super Bowl victory. Finebaum has argued that Jones was too emotionally attached to Garrett, a sentiment that clouded his judgment and delayed the team’s ability to reach the next level. In Finebaum’s view, Jones’ tendency to remain overly involved in personnel matters—and his sometimes personal attachment to certain players or coaches—has hindered the Cowboys’ ability to bring in fresh ideas and establish the consistency necessary to win championships.

Additionally, Finebaum has called out Jones for his role in some of the Cowboys’ more high-profile draft decisions, including the selection of running back Ezekiel Elliott in 2016. While Elliott has undoubtedly been a talented player, Finebaum has questioned whether the pick was the right decision, especially considering the Cowboys’ need for defensive help at the time. Jones’ inclination to make splashy, attention-grabbing moves, according to Finebaum, can sometimes cloud his judgment and lead to decisions that don’t align with the team’s long-term needs.

3. The “Jerry Jones Show” and Its Impact on the Cowboys’ Identity

One of the most unique aspects of Jerry Jones’ ownership is his ability to turn the Cowboys into a global brand. As a business mogul, Jones has built the Cowboys into the most valuable franchise in the NFL, and arguably the most valuable sports franchise in the world. Finebaum acknowledges that this is a remarkable achievement, but he also believes that it has come at the cost of the team’s identity on the field.

Finebaum has often referred to the “Jerry Jones Show,” a term he uses to describe the constant media circus that surrounds the Cowboys. From Jones’ high-profile interviews to his appearances in commercials, the Cowboys’ identity has become inextricably linked to their owner’s personality. This branding has worked in terms of financial success, but Finebaum argues that it has had a detrimental effect on the team’s on-field performance. For Finebaum, the Cowboys’ attention-grabbing media presence sometimes detracts from the seriousness of their football operations. He believes that the constant coverage of Jones’ every move takes away from the focus that should be on building a championship-caliber team.

Finebaum has expressed concern that the Cowboys, as a franchise, have become more about spectacle than substance. Rather than fostering an environment where the team’s performance takes precedence over off-field drama, Jones’ desire for attention has, according to Finebaum, created a circus-like atmosphere. This spectacle can be a distraction to players and coaches alike, particularly during crucial moments in the season when focus and discipline are needed most.

4. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ Super Bowl Drought

One of the key points that Finebaum has often raised when discussing Jerry Jones is the Cowboys’ inability to win a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Despite having the resources, fan support, and financial backing to contend for championships, the Cowboys have failed to reach the pinnacle of NFL success for nearly three decades. This prolonged drought has become a major talking point in Finebaum’s discussions about Jones and his leadership.

While Finebaum acknowledges the challenges of winning a Super Bowl in the NFL, he has criticized Jones for his inability to assemble a team that can consistently contend for championships. Finebaum has pointed out that the Cowboys, under Jones’ leadership, have repeatedly made the playoffs but have struggled to get past the first or second rounds. This failure to break through in the postseason, despite having talented rosters, has led Finebaum to question Jones’ decision-making as both owner and general manager.

In particular, Finebaum has pointed to Jones’ inability to make critical changes when the team faces setbacks. For example, after firing Garrett in 2019, Jones hired Mike McCarthy as head coach, but Finebaum has argued that McCarthy has not been given the freedom to fully implement his own vision. Jones’ interference in personnel decisions and his tendency to micromanage have, in Finebaum’s view, hindered McCarthy’s ability to succeed. As a result, the Cowboys remain trapped in a cycle of mediocrity, unable to take that next step toward championship glory.

5. Finebaum’s Respect for Jerry Jones’ Business Acumen

While Finebaum is often critical of Jerry Jones’ decisions on the football field, it is important to note that he has tremendous respect for Jones’ business acumen. As the architect behind the financial success of the Cowboys, Jones has turned the franchise into a global powerhouse. Under Jones’ ownership, the Cowboys have built state-of-the-art facilities, generated lucrative television deals, and expanded the Cowboys’ brand across the world. Finebaum acknowledges that Jones’ ability to market and brand the Cowboys has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Finebaum has also highlighted the fact that Jones has been able to turn the Cowboys into a model of financial success in an era when NFL teams are increasingly reliant on media revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. This success, in Finebaum’s opinion, is a testament to Jones’ business foresight and ability to navigate the changing landscape of professional sports.

Despite Finebaum’s criticisms of Jones’ football decisions, he has always praised the owner’s ability to generate revenue and expand the Cowboys’ presence globally. Finebaum recognizes that Jones has transformed the Cowboys into a global brand, making them one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the world. This level of success, while not necessarily translating to championships on the field, is an undeniable achievement in the business world.