Franchise Founding in 1960
America's Team: A legacy of excellence and unmatched value.
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. They compete in the NFL as a member of the NFC East division. The team is headquartered in Frisco, Texas, and has played its home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, since 2009.
- League
- National Football League (NFL)
- Founded
- 1960
- First Head Coach
- Tom Landry
- Initial Home Stadium
- Cotton Bowl
- Inaugural Season Record
- 0–11–1
- Key Founder
- Clint Murchison Jr.
Lore & Background
The Cowboys joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960. Their first season was winless. They are known for a record 20 straight winning seasons from 1966 to 1985, missing the playoffs only twice in that span. The franchise has made eight Super Bowl appearances, winning five (1971, 1977, 1992, 1993, 1995). Their eight NFC championships are tied for most in conference history.
In Their Own Story
The wind whipped across the empty Cotton Bowl turf in early autumn 1960, carrying the chill of a fresh start and a heavy silence. Tom Landry adjusted his signature fedora, standing before a chalkboard while players in leather helmets—more construction gear than protection—waited on the sideline. There were no roaring crowds yet, only a sparse gathering of scouts and press watching history unfold in real-time. As Landry drew X's and O's, he ignored the scoreboard that currently read zero for Dallas. He knew this moment wasn't about today's loss; it was about tomorrow's legacy. In the quiet of that stadium, while the world saw a winless start, Landry was already building a championship.
Reader's Guide
The Cowboys' home games are played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The team's streak of 190 consecutive sold-out regular and postseason games began in 2002. As of late 2025, the Cowboys are valued at about $13 billion, making them the most valuable sports team in the world.
Did You Know?
- The Cowboys are the only NFL team to record 20 straight winning seasons.
- They became the first sports team valued at $4 billion in 2015.
- The team's stadium naming rights were sold to AT&T prior to the 2013 season.
- The Cowboys' inaugural season included a tie against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Dallas Cowboys franchise?
Clint Murchison Jr. led the ownership group that secured NFL expansion rights in 1960 to bring professional football back to Texas.
What was the team's inaugural season record?
The squad struggled out of the gate, finishing with a winless mark of zero wins, eleven losses, and one tie.
Who served as the original head coach?
Tom Landry was hired immediately to lead the organization, establishing the defensive strategies that would define the team's identity.
Where did they play their home games initially?
Before moving to their own stadium, the Cowboys played early home matches at the historic Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Why is the 1960 founding considered important?
This expansion filled a long void for professional football in the Lone Star State and evolved into one of sports' most valuable brands.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in the Dallas Cowboys universe
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