How the Cowboys’ dominance mirrors Dallas’ business triumph over New York

Earlier this NFL season, a prime-time showdown unfolded between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants in a game that would underscore the changing tides in both sports and business. As a Dallas native and former resident of New York with love for both cities, I had a personal interest in the game.

The final score? A staggering 40-0 victory for the Cowboys over their rivals.

The resounding victory offers a symbolic lens through which to view how the Cowboys have outpaced the Giants in recent years — an outcome that mirrors the ways Dallas’ business landscape has outperformed New York’s in the realm of talent, innovation and economic incentives.

As the Cowboys and Giants prepare to square off again Sunday, here are three reasons why the Cowboys beat the Giants on the field and why Dallas is outpacing New York City in the boardroom.

The talent gap on the field when the Cowboys last played the Giants was stark. Dallas’ defense hassled New York all night, rendering the Giants’ offense inept, not allowing a single point. The outcome was largely the result of the Cowboys’ long-term plan to both strengthen their existing roster as well as attract key additions.

The city of Dallas has also enjoyed an influx of professionals to complement its already robust local talent pool. Research has shown that the migration of people to Texas was strong before the pandemic began but has increased since then, with professional services jobs growing faster in Texas than anywhere in the U.S. since 2020.

Despite still enjoying large talent pools, major cities like New York have experienced a decrease in young, well-paid college grads. This influx of fresh talent into Dallas has brought new perspectives and innovation and enriched the local ecosystem with fresh ideas and expertise.

On the gridiron, the Cowboys had an outstanding game plan in place to stymie their rivals. A combination of defense, special teams and discipline on offense saw victory through.

Just as the Cowboys’ game plan was executed with discipline, Dallas has meticulously crafted an economic environment that encourages success. In contrast to New York’s taxing business climate, Dallas offers companies significant cost savings through favorable government subsidies, incentives and tax policies.

These incentives are also in part responsible for a new generation of local, generational wealth that is gravitating toward startups and other innovative ventures. The result is a bolstered private capital climate that is attractive for forward-thinking startups that are helping reshape Dallas’s landscape.

The Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium — for which a $295 million refresh is planned — is consistently ranked one of the league’s best, earning praise for its accessibility, design, record-setting video screen and its surrounding facilities and amenities.

The Giants’ MetLife Stadium is often viewed as one of the worst. The food has been derided, the traffic is heavy and the field conditions may have contributed to player injuries.

The investment in AT&T Stadium parallels Dallas’ investment in infrastructure, with $11.5 billion of the state’s recently announced $142 billion package to be allocated for road development in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone. Critical investments like these have proved to help grow economies. New York, meanwhile, is experiencing a funding strain for infrastructure projects, exacerbated by reduced public transportation ridership during the pandemic, which has left shortfalls looming.

As the city continues to attract fresh talent, innovative companies and investment, it’s evident that Dallas is on a trajectory to shine brightly on the national and international stage for years to come, and hopefully in Sunday’s game.

Chris Gannett is a former American Idol chief marketing officer and the founder/president of Gannett.Partners, a Dallas-based firm that provides leadership coaching, operating advisory services and strategic capital solutions.

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