NFL owners reportedly have an ace in the hole to deal with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and it could result in him being forced to sell his franchise.
Jones is currently doing his best to derail NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell’s extension negotiations, and it’s apparently really upsetting some of his fellow owners, according to Pro Football Talk. In fact, there are actual thoughts currently underway about removing Jones from the league.
PFT reported the following on the doomsday scenario for Jones:
They could, in theory, attempt to trigger forfeiture of the Dallas franchise.
A league source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that multiple owners already have been discussing the possibility, which flows from Article VIII of the NFL’s Constitution & Bylaws. Specifically, Section 8.13 authorizes the Commissioner to determine that an owner “has been or is guilty of conduct detrimental to the welfare of the League or professional football.” If the Commissioner believes the available sanction (a $500,000 fine) is “not adequate or sufficient,” the Commissioner may refer the issue to the NFL’s Executive Committee, which has the power to compel “[c]ancellation or forfeiture of the franchise in the League of any member club involved or implicated,” with a directive to sell the team.
It would be a legal war that pro sports has perhaps never seen before if the league’s owners try to oust Jerry Jones and takeaway the Cowboys. There is absolutely no chance he goes down without swinging and causing as much mayhem and trouble as you can.
The Cowboys are the most valuable franchise in the entire NFL. A metaphorical bloodbath will break out before Jones just lets his franchise get ripped out of his hands. Perhaps these reports hitting the news is a warning sign to the electric NFL owner to calm down and relax when it comes to the Goodell extension.
He’s either going to listen, or he’s really going to dig in his feet for a fight. It’d be smarter to the first one, but taking the second option will be way more entertaining.