By subjective measures, there aren’t many metrics where the Dallas Cowboys are the No. 1 team in the NFL as the 2026 season nears, but there is one area where they are the reigning kings, and it surely matters to owner Jerry Jones: The Cowboys are the most valuable team in sports. That’s per annual valuations released from Sportico, where the 32 NFL teams rank among the 38 most valuable sports franchises in the world. Per Sportico, the Cowboys are worth $15.6 billion (with a “b”), or about 111 times what Jones paid for the Cowboys back in 1989. If CeeDee Lamb has his way, Jones will be a little less rich soon if he ponies up to keep George Pickens, and perhaps Jones can afford it. The preseason opener is two days away and here is how Dallas is spending it. More: Quinnen Williams secures big extension with Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable NFL team The Sportico annual list of the most valuable NFL teams just dropped and once again the Dallas Cowboys lead the pack, as they are worth an estimated $15.5 billion. Dallas has topped the list every year since it debuted in 2020, and then the Cowboys were worth $6.3 billion. More: Dallas Cowboys news: Kenny Clark loves chemistry with Quinnen Williams As an example of the NFL's growth in just more than half a decade, the 32nd- and last-ranked team now, the Cincinnati Bengals, are worth $7.4 billion. The Bengals, though, are the 38th-most-valuable team in the world on a list dominated by NFL teams. Here is a look at the top 10: Dallas Cowboys: $15.5B Los Angels Rams: $12.7B New York Giants: $12B New England Patriots: $10.4B New York Jets: $10.35B Philadelphia Eagles: $10.31B Miami Dolphins: $10.25B San Francisco 49ers: $10.21B Las Vegas Raiders: $10.1B Atlanta Falcons: $9.78B More: Dallas Cowboys news. Cowboys begin workouts as stadium prepares for FIFA How much did Jerry Jones buy the Dallas Cowboys for? Jerry Jones paid $140 million on February 25, 1989, to buy the Dallas Cowboys from previous owner H.R. "Bum" Bright. How much is Jerry Jones’ net worth? Per sources like Forbes, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is worth from $19.2 billion to $20.3 billion, with the vast majority of that coming from the Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb advocates for George Pickens Star Dallas Cowboys receiver Lamb doesn’t just think there is room on the roster for both him and the other star receiver George Pickens, now he is advocating for it. That won’t be easy with the salary cap and Pickens is on a one-year franchise tag, but Lamb made it clear he wants to be on the Cowboys with Pickens for the long term. In an interview with Jodi Epstein of Yahoo Sports, he said, “I think it's realistic," then went on to shout out Jones. Epstein went on to quote Lamb: "I'm sure we can make a way," Lamb said. "I know it's going to be a little crazy, but I know we can make a way for this one. Listen, this is my advocation: 'Jerry, can you please figure out a way? Let's figure it out. I don't care what needs to happen.' "'Let's figure it out and it's going to get you a couple more championships.'" As for how this camp is going, the blog The Landry Hat ran this headline: “George Pickens is far and away Cowboys' biggest offensive star in camp” Jess Haynie of the Landry Hat wrote: “It doesn't take much research to figure out that of all the offensive players participating in the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 training camp, wide receiver George Pickens has been setting a high bar. Despite an offseason in which his contract and long-term future were a constant topic, Pickens has continued to be a consummate professional. ”From high effort on the field and a constant smile in between plays, Pickens has easily stood out.” When is the Dallas Cowboys' first game? The Dallas Cowboys’ first preseason game is Saturday, Aug. 15, at Seattle. It kicks off at 5 p.m. in Seattle, so 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT. It will be carried on the NFL Network. The Cowboys’ first regular-season game is the Sunday Night Football opener on Sept. 13 at the New York Giants. Kickoff is at 6:20 p.m. MT/7:20 p.m. CT. The first home game is the following week, Sept. 20, against the Washington Commanders at 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT. Dallas Cowboys depth chart DallasCowboys.com posted the official depth chart for Saturday’s preseason opener at Seattle. Coach Brian Schottenheimer has indicated starters won’t play against Seattle, or any preseason game for that matter, but it isn’t clear if that applies to top draft pick Caleb Downs. Of some interest, Downs is listed as a starter at “DB” on a base defense that lists two safeties, two corners and “DB,” which is a nickel spot. He is also listed as a backup safety behind Jalen Thompson, as Dallas has indicated they plan to use Downs in multiple positions. Joe Milton III and Sam Howell are listed as co-backup quarterbacks. There is no indication who will start Saturday night, other than that it won’t be Dak Prescott. OFFENSE WR George Pickens, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jordan Hudson, Jaden Smith LT Tyler Guyton, Nate Thomas, Marcellus Johnson LG Tyler Smith, Nick Leverett, DJ Wingfield C Cooper Beebe, T.J. Bass, Chris Glaser RG Tyler Booker, Trevor Keegan, Shiyazh Pete RT Terence Steele, Drew Shelton, Ajani Cornelius, Sebastian Gutierrez TE Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker, Michael Trigg, D.J. Rogers, Zach Kuntz WR Ryan Flourney, KaVontae Turpin, Anthony Smith, Denzel Mims WR CeeDee Lamb, Jonathan Mingo, Camden Brown, Traeshon Holden, Tyler Johnson QB Dak Prescott, Joe Milton III, Sam Howell RB Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Malik Davis, Israel Abanikanda, Jaquan Corbin FB Hunter Luepke DEFENSE DT Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, DJ Withers DT Kenny Clark, Jay Toia, Tommy Dunn DT Quinnen Williams, LT Overton, Kelvin Gilliam, Adedayo Odeleye OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku, Sam Williams, Malachi Lawrence, Marist Liufau LB DeMarvion Overshown, Shamar James, Langston Patterson LB Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham, Justin Barron, Curtis Robinson OLB Rashan Gary, James Houston, Isaiah Land, Tyrus Wheat CB Shavon Revel Jr., Cobie Durant, Trikweze Bridges, Ameer Speed DB Caleb Downs, Deion Kendrick, Reddy Steward S Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs, Zion Childress, Alijah Clark S Malik Hooker, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, Julius Wood SPECIAL TEAMS PK Brandon Aubrey P Bryan Anger LS Trent Sieg H Bryan Anger KOR KaVonte Turpin, Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis PR KaVonte Turpin, Caleb Downs, Jonathan Mingo, Traeshon Holden Bret Bloomquist can be reached, bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: What are the Dallas Cowboys ranked No. 1 at? Money, of course