Reports indicate that Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, may have played a role in enticing John Calipari, soon-to-be-announced as the head basketball coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks, to take on his new position. Jones, an alumnus of the University of Arkansas, where he graduated in 1965 and also played football, has been cited by several sources as a significant influence in Calipari’s decision to leave Kentucky for Fayetteville.
Alongside Jones, wealthy donors from Arkansas including the Waltons, owners of Walmart, and John Tyson, the magnate behind Tyson Foods, were also mentioned as potential factors in persuading Calipari to make the move, according to reports from ESPN. Despite being ranked as the 11th richest owner in sports by Forbes, Jones has been criticized for his lack of investment in bolstering the Cowboys roster during the current free agency period.
While other NFL teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants have made significant moves in the offseason, including acquiring players like Saquon Barkley and Brian Burns, the Cowboys have seen notable departures without substantial additions. Losing key players such as Tony Pollard and Leighton Vander Esch, the team has spent minimal amounts on free agents, with their expenditure being the lowest among all NFL teams. This contrasts sharply with teams like the Atlanta Falcons, who have spent significantly more on player acquisitions.
Critics have pointed out that Jones seems more focused on his involvement with the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball program than on improving the Cowboys’ performance. With rumors circulating about potential issues with star defender Micah Parsons and impending contract extensions for players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, there is a sense of disarray surrounding the Cowboys organization.
