Opinions of Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones vary greatly, depending on who you ask, but there's little doubt that he is a man of marked influence over the landscape of American sports. According to one recent ranking, in fact, Jones is among the top ten most influential in sports.
Conducted by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal, the ranking put Jones as the ninth most influential figure in sports, edging out President of CBS News and CBS Sports Sean McManus. Others in the top ten include commissioners Roger Goodell (2), David Stern (4) and Bud Selig (7).
The most influential, per the list, is president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacqes Rogge.
Jones fell seven spots from last year's ranking, somewhat surprising given the opening of Cowboys Stadium, which may well serve as the beleaguered owner's magnum opus. In any case, the stadium, and Jones' ubiquity with respect to league matters are cited as reasons for his influence.
"Sometimes it seems like the NFL is Jerry Jones’ league and everybody else is just along for the ride," the report reads. "Whether it’s his economics-altering new stadium, the punt-affecting scoreboard, his fine-inducing comment about revenue sharing, not to mention his team, so much of the NFL revolves around Jones. With the CBA talks heating up, look for Jones to take a similarly larger-than-life role.
"And don’t forget that little event coming up in 2011, a Super Bowl at the new Cowboys Stadium."
