Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a well-documented history of negotiating directly with players, bypassing their agents despite this practice contradicting the guidelines set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This behavior undermines both the letter and the spirit of the agreement that governs interactions between teams and players. One recent example is Jones’s dealings with linebacker Micah Parsons, where he circumvented traditional negotiation channels.
Despite clear violations, neither the NFL nor the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has taken any substantial action against Jones. The NFLPA, which is tasked with protecting players’ rights, has mechanisms available to challenge such actions, yet it has remained silent. Similarly, the NFL itself has the authority to step in and enforce compliance with the CBA, but has opted not to act.
Jerry Jones (NFL)Cowboys Overpay as Jerry Jones Sidesteps Agents, NFL and Union Stay Silent
Interestingly, these direct negotiations don’t yield better outcomes for the Cowboys. In fact, the team often ends up delaying contracts and ultimately overpaying for players. This ineffectiveness may be seen by some as a form of natural consequence or punishment for bypassing proper procedures. The strategy lacks efficiency and often proves financially detrimental.
What remains most surprising is the continued inaction from both the league and the union. Jerry Jones’s repeated violations go unchecked, creating a precedent that could erode the integrity of the CBA. While the system is in place to prevent such behavior, its enforcers, the NFL and the NFLPA, have so far allowed Jones to ignore the rules without repercussions.
