Cowboys & Arena Football Return: Should Jerry Jones Do It Again?

If NFL ratings are any indication, America loves to watch football teams owned by Jerry Jones. Can it handle another? The possibility is certainly on the table knowing what's transpired on the indoor football circuit.

With the Arena Football League set to join the craze of resurrected alternative pigskin action ... the league announced a planned return in 2024 this week ... fans have already requested to see their favorite teams return among the 16 planned squads set to compete in a 10-game summer season. There's certainly plenty to choose from: 65 different franchises existed from the league's inception in 1987 through its bankruptcy-induced closure 32 years later.

Jones is one of the most prominent names attached to the league's former incarnation and is in a unique position to bring about a true resurrection. The Dallas Cowboys owner was one of several celebrity bosses that partook in the AFL's heyday at the turn of the century (joining names like John Elway and Jon Bon Jovi) upon the formation of the Dallas Desperados in 2001. Whereas most owners either sold off assets or let trademarks expire, Jones has kept a hold on the Desperadoes' intellectual property rights.

In honor of the @FriscoFighters starting the @IndoorFL playoffs tonight, here’s a highlight from one of their predecessors, the AFL’s Dallas Desperados. @ClintStoerner to Jason Shelley for a TD. Footage is from @ArenaFootballTV. pic.twitter.com/vNRGa4jFoa
— Sam Valenti (@realsamvalenti) July 22, 2022

The Desperados lasted seven seasons (2002-08) and played most of their home games at American Airlines Center. They were the third of four AFL franchises that called the metroplex home, following the Dallas Texans (1990-93) and Fort Worth Calvary (1994) while preceding the Dallas Vigilantes (2010-11). The Desperadoes amassed a 71-38-1 regular season record (notably posting a 15-1 mark in 2007) and featured similar branding to the Cowboys', as the primary emblem featured a masked cowboy in front of a blue star. Dallas did not return to play after the AFL canceled its 2009 season due to financial issues.

Cowboys fans would surely recognize some of the names involved in Desperados lore: the team's first head coach, the late Joe Avezzano, was the special teams coordinator during Dallas' Super Bowls of the 1990s. His successor Will McClay, the 2006 AFL Coach of the Year, is the Cowboys' current Vice President of Player Personnel. Their competition included former Cowboys quarterback Danny White, the longtime head coach of the Arizona Rattlers, one of the AFL's longest-running franchises.

Jones' AFL endeavors played a small role in the formation of his NFL neighbor. He originally planned for his indoor team to reassume the Texans' identity but he instead allowed Bob McNair to use the name when the latter brought NFL football back to Houston.

Those seeking alternative gridiron options in North Texas won't have to wait until 2024: the Arlington Renegades will open the third attempt at XFL football at Choctaw Stadium on Feb. 18 against the Vegas Vipers.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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