DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys won’t be the only National Football League franchise in town if Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has anything to say about it. On Twitter, he voiced his desire for a second NFL team to come to Dallas, drawing praise and criticism.

What You Need To Know

  • Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson wants to add another NFL franchise to the city

  • Currently, the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texas are the only teams in the state 

  • Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner, has not commented on Johnson's idea for two NFL teams in Dallas   

“We need an AFC team that plays in Southern Dallas,” he tweeted. “It would never want for a fan base or attendance or support from the City of Dallas. Who wouldn’t want to see a Dallas versus Dallas Super Bowl… in the City of Dallas?”

He even suggested the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers make a move to the Lone Star State. Those leary of his expansion idea stated Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would oppose any potential plan. However, that didn’t stop Johnson from trying to persuade others on the benefits of two NFL teams in the Triple D.

“So far, the main reason I hear for why this can’t happen is because of Jerry Jones,” he tweeted. “Well, first, let’s not put words in Mr. Jones’s mouth. Second, I work for the residents of Dallas, not Jerry Jones. Third, other NFL team owners also do not work for Jerry Jones, but themselves.”

Johnson’s twitter thread was prompted by a question posed by the NFL on CBS account, which asked, “If the NFL announced a new expansion team, what city do you think most deserves it?” Johnson’s retweet with his response and explanation of why it should be Dallas garnered over 200 comments and retweets.

“The answer is Dallas,” he tweeted. “Why? We are about to pass the Chicago metro and become the #3 metro in the U.S., which would make us the largest U.S. metro without two teams. Football is king here. Dallas needs an expansion team and we would be able to sustain 2 @NFL teams better than LA or NY.”

Former National Basketball Association player and head coach Avery Johnson sided with Johnson, noting that Dallas wouldn’t be the only major city with two franchises.

“Totally agree with @Johnson4Dallas,” Johnson tweeted. “We also have some very capable minority ownership groups standing by the phone. If LA [Los Angeles] and NY [New York] can support two teams, @CityOfDallas can handle with no problem.”

As for the naysayers or “detractors” as Johnson described them, he insisted they have faith in not only Jerry Jones but also the city’s ability to host two major sports teams.

“Why do folks assume Jerry Jones would be afraid of this at this stage? It’s kind of an insult to him: the most valuable sports (not football, sports) franchise on Earth afraid of an expansion AFC team in South Dallas? I’ve spent time with Jerry Jones. Don’t speak for the man.”

For now, it’s unclear what Jones thinks of adding another franchise team to the city. Still, Johnson seems to believe that anything is possible as long as one believes.

“Jerry Jones owns the crown jewel of the @NFL,” he tweeted. “I don’t think the @Lakers or @Yankees are bothered one bit by the existence of the @LAClippers or @Mets. Cowboys are a stronger brand with a more global fan base than either of these two. You’re underestimating Jerry Jones and Dallas.”