In a 1984 interview with the New York Times, Trump said he passed on the Cowboys, who had been bleeding money at the time.
“I could have bought an NFL team,” Trump said. “There were three or four available — that still are available, including, of course, the Dallas Cowboys.
“I could have bought an NFL club for $40 million or $50 million, but it’s established and you would just see it move laterally. Not enough to create there.”
Trump doubled down on his thoughts, describing the Cowboys situation as a guaranteed loss.
“I feel sorry for the poor guy who is going to buy the Dallas Cowboys,” Trump said. “It’s a no-win situation for him, because if he wins, well, so what, they’ve won through the years, and if he loses, which seems likely because they’re having troubles, he’ll be known to the world as a loser.”
Trump went on to own the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League. Bum Bright, who bought the franchise in 1984, sold the Cowboys to Jerry Jones in 1989.
Dallas, still owned by Jones, is now ranked the No. 1 most valuable sports franchise in the world at an estimated $4.2 billion.
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