Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is in the midst of a bitter feud on two fronts. One has him taking on fellow owners as a way to block NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s contract extension.
Another has these owners reportedly talking about Goodell exercising his right to force Jones from his role as the Cowboys’ owner (more on that here).
A situation between multiple billionaires fighting for power in the largest sports league in North America could get ugly really quickly.
That’s unless cooler heads prevail. And according to the Washington Post‘s Mark Maske, this might very well be the case.
“I don’t know where this is coming from about stripping him of his franchise,” an unnamed NFL owner said, per Maske. “That’s ridiculous. That’s not going to happen.”
The owner was speaking on the condition anonymity due to the potential legal battle between the league and Jones.
Some have concluded that Jones is making the power play as a way to place himself as a potential successor for Goodell as commissioner. Though, common logic suggests that would be a foolhardy route to go. Why alienate the very same owners whose support you would need to become commissioner?
The likelier scenario here is that Jones is bent out of shape over the six-game suspension Goodell and his cronies handed down to Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, a suspension he’s now willing to serve.
No matter the reasoning, Jones doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on. And according to Maske’s report, any litigation directed at the NFL could result in a substantial fine for Jones.
So while the threat of Jones being forced from the Cowboys ownership is said to be “ridiculous,” this drama is not yet coming to a conclusion. Stay tuned.