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LAS VEGAS — Jerry Jones arrived Thursday in a city where most were convinced a major professional sports franchise would never land.
We currently have two and are ready to add a third, with Super Bowl LVIII coming up this weekend.
Four days ago, Jones and others learned that AT&T Stadium would host nine games at the next World Cup, far more than any other venue.
The combination of these events made Jones more determined to bring the Super Bowl to North Texas again. It also talks about the power of perception and the time it takes to change it.
Let’s start with the desire to bring the Super Bowl back to Arlington.
“Let me be frank and clear,” Jones said. “I want another Super Bowl. We should have a Super Bowl here.
“We deserve to be in the Super Bowl here.”
It’s been 13 years since AT&T Stadium hosted the Super Bowl. New Orleans, Santa Clara and Los Angeles are also set for the next three years.
That means the earliest the game could return is 2028.
A historic cold snap caused ice to slide off the dome, injuring people in temporary seats that the Cowboys owner had hoped to install, but the preparations were not completed in time, casting a cloud over initial efforts. Ta. It’s a negative impression that has contributed to the game’s absence for many years.
“We have to solve some of these problems,” Jones said.
It should help that FIFA is giving AT&T Stadium so many games. If these games go off without a hitch, the region’s Super Bowl case will only get stronger in the future.
And, as Jones pointed out, he has already spent $250 million on stadium renovations, more than is needed for the World Cup. He wants the stadium to always be new and state-of-the-art.
“This is always going to be the case,” Jones vowed.
Jones helped bring Los Angeles back to the NFL with the Rams. But some people don’t know about the role he played in the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas, a move necessary to pave the way for Super Bowl III to be held at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders’ desire to leave Oakland and return to Los Angeles was thwarted by the Rams. Jones then turned his attention to the Raiders.
“I actually made that promise in a way to Al (Davis), who was a great friend of mine, and I feel the same way about his son,” Jones said. “I told him (Mark) that I was going to do everything I could to help.”
The Raiders have set their sights on Las Vegas. Mr. Jones secretly planned several trips to Nevada to meet with the governor, legislators, key players in the casino and gaming industry, and potential lobbying sponsors. He viewed Las Vegas as an important market for the NFL going forward.
why?
“There are two things,” Jones said. “I saw support from all over the state, support from the gaming industry, which is a big part of the state’s economy. I watched it.
“And I really liked the idea, and I thought this really worked and was important, that this is really a destination and a place for entertainment. We would expect an influx of visiting team revenue from those coming in. While not as much as season ticket holders at home venues, regular visiting team revenue is much more reliable both in amount and certainty.
“That’s what happened,” he continued. “It’s great. They did a great job of letting the camera wander around and watch that strip and see all of that happening as you play the game. It’s like having a little night in Las Vegas.” I feel like that, and that’s a good thing.”
And then the story returns to the World Cup.
Jones admitted he was disappointed that Giants Stadium was awarded the championship game by FIFA instead of AT&T. He believes that international perceptions of the United States led to the coastal bias.
“When people around the world think of America, they think of New York skyscrapers and California movie stars,” Jones said. “We want them to think about real life and real life and everything going on here in Texas.
“If you were to fall asleep at the wheel, you wouldn’t realize the economic impact of the central United States and Texas, or the attractiveness of Texas. Look at the population exodus that is happening from both coasts.
“We are very future-friendly, not only business-friendly, but also young people from 20 to 65 years old, very friendly to their future, so we are here and there. “We are creating opportunities for people to come,” he continued. . “I think it’s important to show that.”
Professional sports in Las Vegas. World Cup match in Arlington. The Super Bowl is coming back to North Texas. Changing perceptions takes time.
Jones is in it for the long haul.
Even at 81 years old.
“Keep an open mind,” Jones said. “You should keep thinking ahead.
“You better be ready to take advantage of that.”
Watch Intentional Grounding with David Moore and co-host Robert Wilonsky on “The Ticket” (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) next Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
Read more Cowboys coverage from the Dallas Morning News here.
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