Can the Dallas Cowboys finally live up to their economic worth?

Ever since 2005, Forbes has published their annual ranking of the most valuable NFL franchises, using a wide variety of metrics to calculate overall monetary worth. In all but the 2005 and 2006 seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have consistently ranked at the top of the pile, albeit without achieving comparable success on the field of play.

These monetary valuations are based upon worth considerations including sport, market, stadium deals, and team brand. There is also the counterbalance of debts and operating income, which factor into considerations, although NFL franchises are amongst the most profitable anywhere in the sporting world.

In the most recently published August of this year, the Dallas Cowboys comfortably topped the 2022 NFL valuations rankings, becoming the first franchise worth $8 billion. This was an increase in worth of 60% compared to the previous year, while posting far and away the top revenues of $1.087 billion, along with generating an operating income of $466 million.

Year on year since 2007, just two following the introduction of the Forbes rankings, the Cowboys have consistently topped the charts, registering impressive and sustained growth. Much of this is because of how effectively the organization is run, under the leadership of Jerry Jones, who paid $150 million for the franchise in 1989.

Competitiveness of the NFL

The Cowboys franchise is much richer than any rival in the NFL, yet no matter their sizeable financial advantages, the world’s most valuable sports team has not won a thing in decades. But how is that possible? Well, this was the question posed by UK newspaper The Guardian, comparing the Dallas franchise to super-rich English Premier League soccer teams, albeit with an important caveat.

Generally speaking, the wealthiest soccer teams can freely spend as much as they like, with few restrictions or limits regarding what they can spend, particularly when it comes to improving their teams with player signings. They are also less restricted when signing promising young talents, able to scout and procure the best up-and-coming players in an open market.

This is obviously very different in the NFL, where teams must adhere to strict salary caps, the intention of which is to ensure that elite American football remains competitive. The NFL also has the Draft system, whereby the worst performing teams often get first pick from the talent pool, adding an extra layer of competitiveness and balance.

Because of these key differences NFL franchises are mostly profitable, aside from years when major investments are required, such as constructing or upgrading stadiums and facilities. However, those investments usually tend to increase revenues and profitability over the longer term. And compared to soccer, where some teams have dominated their domestic leagues for decades, that will never happen given the sporting competitiveness of the NFL.

Aiming to break the cycle

Despite being such a wealthy franchise, valued at more than double the worth of most rivals in the NFL, the last major success for the Dallas Cowboys was during the 1995 season. This was towards the conclusion of a golden era for the team, winning Super Bowl XXX championship 27-18 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. This followed back-to-back successes at Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII, both times against the Buffalo Bills.

Now the Cowboys are aiming to break more than just a perceived cycle of consistent failure, following 26 subsequent years without coming close to lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy. During that span of time, they haven’t even reached the postseason party on 15 occasions, and when they did so 11 times, the Dallas franchise always fell short, unable to progress beyond the Divisional playoffs,

Nevertheless, the 2022 season could finally see fans welcome an end to their patient wait for success. Bookies are cautiously optimistic about the Cowboys chances, pricing them amongst the six outright favorites to win Super Bowl LVII championship. But before getting too excited, comparing the latest odds is always a good idea, along with checking evaluations for the best betting sites across the United States at SBO, accompanied by thorough guides and advice.

Odds can vary significantly from one sportsbook to the next, while some can offer promotions that boost odds or include welcome bonuses. This will be the second consecutive season that the Cowboys have reached postseason, during the reign of Mike McCarthy as head coach, indicating an upwards trajectory for the team. And this also fuels excitement that at long last, “America’s Team” could go all the way this year, finally living up to their economic and financial worth.