Jerry Jones Calls Himself Apolitical Amid Donations

The Dallas Cowboys owner says he cannot pick a party while his family has given more than $1 million to Republican causes.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Gambling

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a navy and silver football player in motion across green turf under warm stadium lights, evoking the Dallas Cowboys. — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called himself apolitical Friday on 105.3 The Fan, even as his family has given more than $1 million to Republican causes this election cycle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones described himself as apolitical on 105.3 The Fan on Friday, even as he and his family donated more than $1 million to Republican-aligned causes this election cycle. Jones also said he hoped new political leadership in Texas would view legalizing sports gambling favorably.

Why it matters

Jones said he cannot afford to pick a political party because Cowboys fans span the political spectrum. His stated hope for sports gambling legalization in Texas links his political giving to a policy issue with direct implications for the sports and gaming industries.

Jones gave $1 million to MAGA Inc. this cycle, $250,000 to a joint fundraising committee for Ken Paxton, and $500,000 across Texas races. Jerry Jones Jr. separately gave $50,000 to Sen. John Cornyn and $100,000 to a PAC linked to Sen. Ted Cruz.

The players

Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones is the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys and a prominent figure in professional football and sports business.

Ken Paxton

Ken Paxton is the Texas Attorney General who ran for the U.S. Senate in Texas and lost to James Talarico in the most recent election.

James Talarico

James Talarico is a Democrat who won the Texas Senate race against Ken Paxton in the midterm elections.

The details

Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, Jones said the Cowboys have fans on both sides of the political divide and that he would become fully involved in political matters only when something helps the team. Asked whether he had reached out to Texas' newly elected officials, he gave no indication of recent contact.

Friday: Jones described himself as apolitical on 105.3 The Fan.
Tuesday: Midterm elections were held, and Ken Paxton lost the Texas Senate race to James Talarico.
Last month: The Jones family announced a $10 million gift to the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

Planning Ahead

Since the 2018 Murphy v. NCAA decision opened the door to state-level sports betting, many states have legalized it, while Texas has remained one of the largest states without legal sports wagering. Jones's comments suggest the debate may be revisited under new state leadership.

Texas sports bettors cannot currently place legal wagers on sports, and any change would depend on future state legislation. Readers should expect no immediate change to betting options from Jones's remarks alone.

The takeaway

Political giving and policy advocacy can overlap in the sports industry, and readers following gambling law should track whether Texas lawmakers take up sports betting in the next legislative session.