No Sale of Cowboys--Yet, Spokesman Says

Amid reports that Dallas Cowboys majority owner H. R. (Bum) Bright has sold the team to an Arkansas oilman, an aide close to Bright said negotiations are continuing with several prospective buyers, including Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Jerry Jones is not someone to take lightly,” aide Jim Francis said Thursday night. “We think he’s serious. The Bright people are taking him seriously. He’s a good guy and he’d make a good owner. He’s for real.

“But there has been no deal. We’re working on several deals. Some are ahead of others. Some are closer. Some are more real.”

Francis’ remarks came late Thursday night after KXAS-TV in Ft. Worth, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Cowboys had been sold to Jones, president of Arkoma Exploration of Little Rock, Ark.

“The status of the sale of the Cowboys will be clarified within the next 48 hours,” Cowboys President Tex Schramm said this afternoon. “Until that time, I have no comment.”

Widespread Change

The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, citing a source close to the negotiations, reported in today’s editions that a deal is in place and could be completed as early as next week. The same source said that if Jones’ bid to buy the team and the lease to Texas Stadium is approved, there could be widespread change in the organization that could put Coach Tom Landry’s job into question.

“Things are about to change,” the source told the Star-Telegram. “If Jerry buys the team, things won’t be the same.”

KXAS reported that Jones, 46, would replace Landry with University of Miami coach Jimmy Johnson, who played with Jones on Arkansas’ 1964 national championship team.

“This is all a complete surprise to me. It’s totally new to me. I guess anything can happen, but I know nothing of it,” Schramm told the Associated Press.

Landry, reached at his home late Thursday, said, “I don’t know a thing about it.”