Cowboys; Mavericks

And as we head into the NFL draft I am still looking for a new GM for the Cowboys.

I first floated this idea in the late 80's when the Cowboys were for sale. Since the Cowboys, even today, seem to be something more than just another football team, I suggested we as the public own the team. This would be something similar, but not exactly like the Packers. Mr Jones is destroying something more than a business, something more than a brand, he is playing with a public trust that the Cowboys are representative of the NFL to the world "America's team". And yes I am a homey when it comes to my teams (see Mavericks' comments coming up), but the Cowboys do have a certain chic to them that goes beyond being a football team.

My idea was that we would put together a holding company where people could invest/buy shares and once we reach a certain goal make an offer. There were very severe rules though. To give it to the people, you couldn't own more than ten shares as an individual or corporation; once the team was bought the shareholders would vote on a management team to hire the actual management group to run the team. Basically two levels to prevent one person being a dominant player, but allowing for a small group from the shareholders to have a working relationship with who is hired to be the President of the team and GM of football operations etc. The management group among the shareholders would be voted on every three or five years to give some consistency to the football operations. One factor of this is to allow a group a chance to be successful, you cannot expect results in one year when building a successful organization, but only allowing 3-5 years to prevent what has happened under Mr Jones where no real success for 15 years. Basically if the management group is successful they would be voted back in, and would continue to work with a President of business operations and a GM for football operations, and yes I am separating the two roles. One reason of course is this is an investment and true Cowboy fans would accept a smaller return on their money if the team was successful, but they should get a return on their money as an investment. Second you have one person working on the actual team and its success without worrying about the business portion. And I think everyone knows that to have a successful football team you need football people in charge of the team. The business portion can be run by a more diverse group of people with business experience. And you need to control owners to Cowboy fans. Tough call to enforce. This is the rough draft of the proposal. More than willing to talk about it if you are interested.

There are some perks too. For example one suite could be designated the owner's suite and each year 8 names would be drawn among all the shareholders to sit in the owner's suite for a home game. IF owners can sit in visiting stadiums,then you pick 16 names. The "owner" for the game would get full perks of dinner, etc for that person and a set number of guests. And all owners might be able to spend a few days in training camp or off season getting to meet the players, get autographs if desired etc. There would be an annual meeting, just like any other public owned company, for the benefit and knowledge of the shareholders. Certain merchandise could be created and sold to owners only to let them show who they are in public if wanted. These are just a few ideas to give the shareholders a feeling of entitlement as team owner.

Back in the 80's I was thinking you could start with $10,000 a share or maybe $100,000. Now though I think we would be stuck with a million for a share at least, which precludes many people from participating, so to help out I was thinking that more than one person could own a share, but they would have to decide who votes on the share. Which of course could lead to trouble. Anyway, anybody curious about trying to partake in a hostile takeover of the Cowboys? Mr. Jones isn't doing Cowboy fans any favors.

The Cowboys to Dallas and to fans around the world are much more valuable than Mr Jones' ego.



Mavericks, like I mentioned I am a homey when it comes to my teams, are sitting on the edge for the playoffs. I have been holding onto hope, but the margin for error is razor thin now.

And for me I wish they were doing better. I think Vince Carter has really been a good team player this year and he deserves more for his efforts, Marion has always been underrated and under appreciated, and Dirk can still contribute. For Vince and Marion I wish we were doing better, both have had great attitudes and great work ethic this year.

The Mavericks are a good team for 46 minutes a game, but for some reason, there is an intangible missing for close games. I have felt that if they had found it these last couple of weeks they could have done well. Not only can the three mentioned above contribute to a successful team, Brandon Wright is starting to develop, Kaman and Brand can come in and add 10-15 points a game,or at least one of them a night, Collison is developing as a point guard and brings tons of energy, Mayo is almost there and if he steps up just a quarter step can contribute, and the rest of the bench has been productive. To me that intangible whatever it is, has cost this team too much,but to be a playoff/successful playoff team those are the things that make the difference. If they just go 50/50 on close games they are 7th seed or so not 4 games back.

Sad to see the efforts of Carter and Marion lost when they are touching being a really really good team. Anyway still holding out this year, "it ain't over till its over"


A few Sports comments heading into the usual wonderful Texas Spring weather. And I just don't have a feel on the Rangers yet.