Frisco, TX – In a jaw-dropping twist that could reshape the NFL landscape, Elon Musk, the billionaire innovator behind Tesla and SpaceX, is reportedly preparing a historic $40 billion offer to purchase the Dallas Cowboys, sources close to the negotiations revealed on March 23, 2025. If successful, the deal would obliterate the record for the most expensive sports franchise sale—currently the $6.05 billion paid for the Denver Broncos in 2022—and cement Musk as a transformative force in professional football, leaving fans and analysts reeling.
The Cowboys, long dubbed “America’s Team,” have been owned by Jerry Jones since 1989, when he bought the franchise for a mere $140 million. Under Jones’s stewardship, the team’s value has soared, with Forbes pegging it at $10.1 billion in 2024—making it the NFL’s most valuable franchise. Musk’s rumored $40 billion bid, however, dwarfs even that figure, offering Jones a payout that could quadruple his family’s investment overnight. “This isn’t just a sale; it’s a statement,” an NFL insider told ESPN. “Musk doesn’t play small—he’s buying a cultural icon.”
Musk, whose net worth sits at $319 billion per Forbes after a $144 billion drop from its December 2024 peak, has the financial muscle to pull this off. His recent ventures—like Tesla’s EV dominance and SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation—prove he’s no stranger to audacious moves. The $44 billion Twitter acquisition in 2022 (now X) showed his appetite for high-stakes gambles, though its valuation has since cratered to $9 billion. A Cowboys purchase would dwarf that deal, aligning with Musk’s pattern of leveraging his wealth for headline-grabbing disruption.
Why the Cowboys? Sources suggest Musk, a Texas resident since 2020, sees the team as a personal passion and a strategic play. “Elon’s been spotted at Cowboys games—Pittsburgh last October with Snoop Dogg, for one,” a league source noted. “He’s got roots in Texas now, and this could be his way of planting a flag.” Beyond fandom, the Cowboys’ global brand, AT&T Stadium’s tech potential, and Musk’s penchant for innovation—think Tesla-powered game-day shuttles or Starlink-enhanced fan experiences—make it a tantalizing fit.
Jerry Jones, 82, has given no public hint of selling, often calling the Cowboys a “family legacy” with his children Stephen, Charlotte, and Jerry Jr. deeply involved. Yet, the 2024 season’s 7-10 flop, Dak Prescott’s injury, and Mike McCarthy’s uncertain future have fueled speculation of a reset. “$40 billion might be the one number Jerry can’t refuse,” said The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “It’s generational wealth on steroids.” The Cowboys declined comment, but Jones’s past claim that the team could fetch $10 billion suggests he’s open to the right price.
NFL fans are losing their minds. Trending on X, one wrote, “Musk owning the Cowboys? That’s wild—Starlink in the endzone next!” Another quipped, “Jerry’s not selling unless Elon throws in a Cybertruck.” Skeptics, however, question the logistics: the NFL’s ownership approval process is notoriously stringent, and Musk’s polarizing persona—tied to Trump’s administration and DOGE—could ruffle feathers among the league’s old guard.
The financials are staggering. Musk could fund the deal by selling Tesla stock, as he did for Twitter, though analysts warn of market ripples; Tesla’s shares dipped 3% on the rumor alone. The Cowboys’ revenue—$1.2 billion in 2024—offers a solid return, but $40 billion far exceeds any rational valuation, hinting at Musk’s intent to buy prestige, not just profit. “He’s not here to nickel-and-dime,” said Wedbush’s Dan Ives. “This is Musk buying a trophy.”
If the deal closes, Musk would become the NFL’s richest owner by a mile—eclipsing even David Tepper’s $20.6 billion—and the first to cross into tech-mogul territory. Could drones deliver game-day nachos? Could AI call plays? With Musk, the possibilities are as endless as they are unpredictable. For now, the football world holds its breath, awaiting confirmation of a move that could redefine the sport—or crash spectacularly like a Falcon 9 test flight. Stay tuned.