A decade-old warning from Mark Cuban has drawn a sharp rebuke from Jerry Jones. While Cuban predicted the NFL's implosion, the Cowboys owner is now firing back. Jones is pushing for more growth, not less, starting with an expanded season.

When the critics came calling, Jerry Jones, President and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys, had a simple statement.

"When the ducks quack, feed them," Jones said. "We have great demand. We should address it, respond to it and feed it."

The Cowboys' owner feels like he has no reason to turn away millions of fans who attend their games.

NFL revenues have increased from approximately $12 billion per year to more than $22 billion since Cuban issued his 2014 warning.

The Thursday Night Football expansion, which Cuban identified as excessive, now operates as a permanent program on Amazon Prime, which attracts millions of viewers for each game.

Back then, Cuban had given a skeptical critique towards NFL's expansion.

"I think the NFL is 10 years away from an implosion," Mark Cuban had said. "I'm just telling you: Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. And they're getting hoggy."

Jerry Jones’ sharp rebuttal was not just noise, it was a reminder of why the NFL continues to sit comfortably at the top.

It is the same belief that has fueled his recent backing of the proposed 18-game season, doubling down on the idea that the league is not slowing down anytime soon.

Jerry Jones Backs the Idea of an 18-Game Season in the NFL

The NFL plans to extend its broadcast schedule to an 18-game regular season soon.

In recent weeks, this idea has met with backlash from former players such as Cameron Newton (Carolina Panthers quarterback), who worries about the longevity of an NFL player's career amid the physical demands of 18 games.

Jerry Jones, meanwhile, displayed his complete support for the 18-game schedule. The Cowboys owner supports 18 games for one simple reason. Fans want more football.

"My interpretation of the 18th game would be less preseason games. I like that," Jones said. "It increases the viability of the financial aspect, more gates and more money for the players as well."

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed his excitement about the proposal through his presentation of three specific conditions, which he believed would lead to its successful implementation.

Jones argues that the change would better serve players by replacing preseason activities.

What do you think? Do you agree with Jerry Jones' take? You can read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote