Jerry Jones doesn’t expect to meet 50% capacity for Cowboys home games
The state of Texas is allowing outdoor sporting venues to seat up to 50% capacity amid the coronavirus pandemic, but do not expect AT&T Stadium to be half-full when the Dallas Cowboys play their first home game next month.
Team owner Jerry Jones acknowledged Friday that 50% capacity is unlikely for Cowboys’ home games this season. AT&T Stadium in Arlington has a seated capacity of 80,000.
“More than likely there won’t be 50% capacity,” Jones said during an interview on 105.3 The Fan. “But things are evolving. I would imagine we can have as many people out there as far as the demand to be out there as we want it. We’ll see how the lay of the land is as we get closer, and sell those numbers of tickets accordingly.”
The Cowboys’ home opener against the Atlanta Falcons is scheduled for Sept. 20. That’s the only home game in September for the Cowboys, who have three home games in October, two in November and two in December. The Cowboys will open the season against the Rams in Los Angeles on Sept. 13.
Although playing games with no crowds, or limited capacity crowds, will be a substantial financial blow, Jones said that the league can “unquestionably” survive that type of financial setback.
“The keyword is flexibility and adapting to a need to change,” Jones said. “Things alter the time frame when you can make a decision. Sometimes the awkwardness has to do with the short time frame you make it. I’m sitting here, you ask me a question this morning. And I’m giving you a straight answer because I don’t know how many fans we’ll have in that stadium. Here we are, the Dallas Cowboys, got one of the greatest stadiums in the world, and I can’t give you a straight answer to that. We’ll play it by ear.”
Jones also brushed off the notion that some teams may have an unfair advantage if fans are able to attend in some cities, but not others. He reminisced about his college days whenever Arkansas played at Texas, and the adrenaline rush the visiting team can get from an energized crowd.
“By the time we get on that field, all the emotional aspect of playing before a hostile crowd, I think that will be overcome by the fact we’re getting that football game in to play that game,” Jones said.
This story was originally published August 28, 2020 at 12:25 PM.
