When maverick oil baron Jerry Jones gambled $140 million to buy the moribund Dallas Cowboys in 1989, the NFL establishment laughed. Five years later, he’d silenced every critic – hoisting three Lombardi Trophies and transforming “America’s Team” into a global financial juggernaut. This explosive Netflix documentary chronicles Jones’ high-stakes revolution: firing beloved legend Tom Landry, hiring brash college coach Jimmy Johnson, and gambling on superstar egos to forge the NFL’s most dominant dynasty of the 90s.

Through never-before-seen footage and incendiary interviews, witness how Jones reshaped sports forever. He shattered league traditions with landmark TV deals (bankrolling Fox Sports’ NFL takeover), turned cheerleaders into global icons, and leveraged Texas-sized swagger to build a brand worth $9 billion. But beneath the glittering trophies lay vicious power struggles, locker room chaos, and the crushing weight of “Next Year’s Country.” This is the unvarnished saga of genius, greed, and gridiron glory.

America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys all actors list

1. Jerry Jones as Self (Archival & New Interviews)

The documentary’s gravitational center, Jones recounts his audacious takeover with unrepentant bravado. His interviews crackle with the same ruthless charm that toppled NFL norms – defending his firing of Landry (“Sentimentality doesn’t win championships”), the fractious Jimmy Johnson partnership, and bets on volatile talents like Deion Sanders. Jones frames every decision as a necessary gamble in building an empire.

Archival footage reveals his hands-on micromanagement – from draft war rooms to locker room speeches. The film explores his dual legacy: visionary who maximized football’s commercial potential, and polarizing figure whose ego ignited civil wars within his own championship machine.

2. Jimmy Johnson as Self

The swashbuckling architect of the Cowboys’ on-field dominance, Johnson delivers fiery, unfiltered testimony. He details building “The Triplets” (Aikman, Smith, Irvin) through revolutionary draft strategies and psychological warfare, while clashing relentlessly with Jones over control. His recounting of their explosive breakup after back-to-back Super Bowls remains raw decades later.

Johnson’s segment highlights his cultural impact – bleach-blond hair on the sideline, tearful locker room rants, and the infamous “How ‘Bout Them Cowboys?!” scream. His insights reveal how fragile the dynasty truly was, fueled by ego collisions as much as talent.

3. Troy Aikman as Self

The golden-armed quarterback provides stoic, cerebral perspective. Aikman dissects the precision of the Cowboys’ offense, the burden of leading egos like Irvin and Sanders, and the physical toll of three title runs. His recollections of Jones’ relentless pressure and Johnson’s demanding leadership reveal the intense cost of greatness.

Aikman analyzes the dynasty’s implosion post-Johnson, questioning whether Jones’ business ambitions ultimately undermined football success. His quiet intensity contrasts sharply with the team’s flamboyant persona, grounding the chaos in cold-eyed analysis.

4. Emmitt Smith as Self

The NFL’s all-time leading rusher (at retirement) brings electrifying energy. Smith relives his historic holdout gamble that forced Jones to pay him during the 1993 season – a move fueling their third Super Bowl run. His stories capture the locker room’s volatile mix of joy, tension, and unparalleled work ethic.

Smith celebrates the offensive line’s unsung dominance while acknowledging the “playground” mentality Johnson harnessed. His reflections on Jones are nuanced – gratitude for the platform, frustration with the constant drama, and awe at the brand’s global reach.

5. Michael Irvin as Self

“The Playmaker” is the documentary’s combustible heart. Irvin’s passionate, tearful interviews embody the dynasty’s swagger and self-destruction. He glorifies the work ethic (“We bled in that heat!”), defends the infamous off-field excesses, and delivers searing tributes to Johnson’s motivational genius.

Irvin confronts the dynasty’s dark side – his own suspensions, the White House scandal, and the crushing aftermath of their collapse. His raw emotion underscores the human cost beneath the glittering trophies and Jones’ relentless ambition.

6. Deion Sanders as Self

“Prime Time” electrifies the screen, recounting his seismic 1995 arrival. Sanders details Jones’ record-breaking contract offer and his immediate impact (“I changed the DNA – instant swag!”). His segments dissect the calculated showmanship that fueled the Cowboys’ global fame and infuriated rivals.

Sanders analyzes the friction his arrival caused within the established core and how Jones leveraged his star power for marketing gold. His perspective frames the Cowboys as the blueprint for the modern athlete-as-superstar era Jones championed.

7. George W. Bush as Self

The former U.S. President and early Cowboys minority owner provides unique political-business context. Bush details Jones’ persuasive pitch to buy the team, their friendship, and how the Cowboys’ 90s resurgence mirrored Texas’ booming economy and cultural confidence.

Bush offers insights into Jones’ deal-making genius and risk tolerance, framing him as a quintessential American entrepreneur. His presence links the team’s success to broader narratives of ambition and reinvention in modern America.

8. Rupert Murdoch as Self

The media titan’s rare interview is a documentary coup. Murdoch details the pivotal gamble: using Jones’ Cowboys and the NFL package as the cornerstone to launch Fox Sports in 1993. He credits Jones’ relentless lobbying and understanding of TV’s financial revolution as key to the $1.58 billion deal that reshaped sports broadcasting forever.

Murdoch positions Jones not just as a team owner, but as the catalyst for the NFL’s explosive financial growth. His testimony underscores how Jones’ vision transcended the field, turning the league into a television behemoth.