Cost for moving Cowboys video board will be "at least $2 million"

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen (we got the head's up from Darren Rovell's Twitter page), the cost of moving the monstrous, four-sided drive-in movie screen out of the path of punted footballs will be "at least $2 million."

But that doesn't mean Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will agree to tinker with one of his favorite features of the new venue.

Per Mort, it's Jones' position that the video board was constructed in accordance with "league specifications," and Jones has "no intentions of raising it to a higher level."

That said, Mort reports that a "preliminary discussion" already has occurred regarding an adjustment.

The next question becomes the responsibility for the costs of moving the thing up.  Our guess is that Jones will insist that the league cover the expenses.

And it's hard to argue with that, if as it appears the league approved the current configuration.

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67 Responses to "Cost for moving Cowboys video board will be "at least $2 million""

  1. danlinker says: August 22, 2009 11:15 PM

    Who cares who pays for it. It's just funny. Perfect team to have this happen. What an idiot Jones is. And it trickles down the line.

  2. Chad Pennington's Noodle Arm says: August 22, 2009 11:17 PM

    I'm sure Jerry Jones can spare the cash to move his abomination up a few feet higher.

  3. shake&bake says: August 22, 2009 11:20 PM

    Hey Jerruh have you ever heard the expression measure twice install video screen once?

  4. Waldo says: August 22, 2009 11:21 PM

    You guys do know that the scoreboard is being mechanized to move up and down, right?

    This is very old news, like months old.

    Mort is an idiot.

    It cost a lot more than $2M.

  5. pumbaa57 says: August 22, 2009 11:21 PM

    Well, if the NFL did sign off on the specifications after a detailed review, and Jones does indeed ask the NFL to pick up the tab, it'll probably be the first time I've agreed with Jerry Jones in a long, long time.

  6. Big Stretch says: August 22, 2009 11:23 PM

    jerry jones is an idiot. how do you not plan that better?

  7. EskinSux says: August 22, 2009 11:34 PM

    Less than a face lift............WOOOHOOOO

  8. realitypolice says: August 22, 2009 11:35 PM

    I work in the sports facility industry and design buildings that are used for indoor practice. Our buildings typically have a ceiling height of 76' to 80' feet, and unless the punter is purposely trying to kick vertically and hit the ceiling, it virtually never happens. This scoreboard is supposed to be 90' high, and a second string kicker hit it in game action, while supposedly trying to drive the ball far downfield? Something doesn't compute. Has anyone actually measured to make sure this scoreboard was mounted as high as the plans called for?

    I seem to recall that the Cowboys have some issues with the engineering of other buildings they own recently.

  9. penguininbondage says: August 22, 2009 11:36 PM

    What they approved and what they built is usually two very different things. Construction types and archetects (SP) are worse than lawyers when it comes to specs.

    And I'm sure in Texas they used bonafied, qualified union labor to get it done.

  10. SATAN says: August 22, 2009 11:37 PM

    2M$???? Chump change

  11. fballfan says: August 22, 2009 11:45 PM

    just like I said....the league approved it...they get too pay too move it.....and lets not forget it is 5 feet higher than the 85 feet the league says it has too be. Maybe next time there should be a rule on how big a scoreboard can be...ya know a max and a minimum size...also if the boys have too raise it lets say up too 100 feet...does that mean every other stadium has too follow suit?? And who would have too pay for that?? Go cowboys

  12. VoxVeritas says: August 22, 2009 11:49 PM

    lotsa mental midgets on PFT, apparently.

  13. EdReed4prez says: August 22, 2009 11:51 PM

    Hey big stretch,

    Not a big fan of jerry jones but cut the guy some slack. He's a rich man not an engineer, he pays people to think about this shit. Not his fault, he just signs the checks, I doubt he was tape-measuring much during the construction.

  14. Franks says: August 22, 2009 11:52 PM

    Are you kidding? Yeah... Jones is an idiot.. He builds a stadium to exceed league specifications/rule, but he's an idiot. This guy makes more money in a year than any of you do in your lifetimes, idiots don't do that.

  15. houskat says: August 22, 2009 11:54 PM

    At least they got a roof that works this time.
    No more Leon Lett playing in the snow.

    2 millon bucks, I would love to get that job

  16. Hail2ThaRedskins says: August 22, 2009 11:58 PM

    I think Jones should just bite the bullet and pay the $2mil to move the screen. If he asks the league to pay for it and I were in the league office... my response would be sure thing since we approved it we will pay for it, but we will be removing it entirely to ensure no more mistakes.

  17. russrpm says: August 22, 2009 11:59 PM

    Florio-just curious, but are there any design flaws in other stadiums in the league that tend to benefit the home team? I've only been to a few of the stadiums, but I have seen some interviews with players about the quality of the rug and other issues. Does Jeff Fisher have a list, or is this just a one time thing?

  18. misterj says: August 23, 2009 12:02 AM

    I'm sure this rule was set up 40 years ago when the only person who could hit it was Ray Guy, on a good day. And he STILL needs to be in the hall of fame. All these fat HOF voters should vote him in already.

  19. Hillbilly Coach says: August 23, 2009 12:04 AM

    Amazing how Big Stretch knows what an idiot is. The league sets a standard and approves the stucture. Jones goes five feet higher than King Roger signed-off on and Jones is the idiot?
    BS, go look in the mirror.

    Yeah, the league should pay but if I was Jerry I'd tell 'em to stick it and live with it.

  20. TSE says: August 23, 2009 12:11 AM

    Why would the league pay for it? It's Jones screwup if it doesn't comply with stadium construction rules. And i'm not talking about this BS 85 foot deal. That's like saying you can build a tank in the middle of the field and say it's legal, because technically it's not hanging at all thus it's not violating the hanging from less than 85 foot rule.

    Stadium construction needs to comply with ALL the rules PFT, not just your 85 foot reference. The scoreboard is probably violating some other rule.

    So what do you say PFT, are you saying that if they built a sound device at 90 feet hanging that pumped sound in artificially that it would be legal because it's hanging more than 85 feet? Noooo it doesnt work like that cause while satisfying the 85 foot rule, THAT would be in violation of something else.

    You have been doing a very bad job with your articles lately, writing as if you don't understand logic at the most elementary and basic level and it makes it look like you think your readers are dumb. STOP IT!

  21. oddchip77 says: August 23, 2009 12:18 AM

    I like to bash Jerry just as much as the next guy, but if the stadium, including the scoreboard, was built to league specs then I say leave it, or have the NFL pay the tab. Oh, before I forget, Eagles suck balls

  22. PJW says: August 23, 2009 12:22 AM

    If it has to be moved up for a concert, what's Jerry (POS) Jones's problem?

  23. smiley says: August 23, 2009 12:26 AM

    This is very simple....I don't care how high the NFL SAYS it's supposed to be.....punters are hitting it...move it or get fined. I would say the same about RedskinStadium (the house that Jack built). I think it was built to move anyway. Hail!

  24. luke1982 says: August 23, 2009 12:29 AM

    I just want to play Madden on it.

  25. Raider Pride says: August 23, 2009 12:52 AM

    Just let every ball that hits it be in play.

    Give three points to a team if their Punter hits the video screen.

    If the receiving team recovers the punt that hit the video screen, they get a first down in the Red Zone.

    If any punted ball should be lodged in the screen and not come back down.... The Cowboys would lose the game automatically.....

    And Jerry Jones would have to set up a $200,000 dollar scholarship for an underprivileged child at the Texas Tech University College Of Architecture.

    It would be great theatre.... And bring a whole new aspect to game planing for a game in Dallas.

    Hey there are ground rules for the Green Monster in Boston....

    Let's make some rules for the Video Monster in Dallas.

  26. Electric Blue says: August 23, 2009 1:18 AM

    As much as I love to hate on the Cowboys, Jerry Jones is no idiot. The guy is a marketing genius. I believe that he purposely positioned the screen low, thus ensuring that punts would hit it. Therefore, when the screen was hit, articles and commentary about the incident would flood the sports media. As a result, he gets the whole nation talking about his glorious new stadium. People in Dallas will hear about this and become more eager to see it all in person. It's the cheapest advertising he could ever hope for.

  27. Kelmino says: August 23, 2009 1:40 AM

    Has anyone thought that maybe the Cowboys did this on purpose?

    If your punter kicks and practices in that stadium every day then he will know how to kick it and not hit the screen.

    The visiting team will not, thus giving the Cowboys an advantage. The league can not make the team do a "do-over", the Cowboys are hoping the league thinks of the screens as a normal part of the field and let the play continue as normal.

    The same rule applies to referee's when a referee hits a player and knocks them down it's not a "do-over".

  28. ScreamingIdiot says: August 23, 2009 2:31 AM

    All that money spent and no one said "hey whats the avg height and distance of an NFL punters kick?"


    Idiots.

  29. pat in philly says: August 23, 2009 2:35 AM

    if the league approved it, and Jones went with it, that is on the league. What's the point of the approval then?

    And if Jones thought it might be home field advantage, then good for him. If I spent a billion on a stadium, and the league said ok, I'd want an advantage too. Cowboys would have to sign a line drive punter and everyone else would have to adjust. Sounds good to me.

    Ask the Pats, if you ain't cheatin you ain't tryin.

    And they have 3 rings.

  30. guyfromahs says: August 23, 2009 2:44 AM

    Moving the Jumbotron upward - $2 million. Watching the Cowboys fail at maintaining roofed(2) playing surfaces - Priceless.

  31. *Legion* says: August 23, 2009 3:14 AM

    On one hand, I feel for Jerry Jones. Following the NFL's specifications *and* the process of reviews should be sufficient to build a stadium free of these problems.

    On the other hand, Jerry's glorious new stadium is going to be a running punchline if punts continue to bounce off the video board.

    It's cool when Ray Guy does it. Won't be so cool when Sav Rocca and Hunter Smith do it.

  32. Jackal138 says: August 23, 2009 3:23 AM

    I don't know, Big Stretch, how do you make the "Most talented roster in the NFL" miss the playoffs over and over again?

    Don't overestimate Jerruh. Luckily $2 mil is chump change for that undead bastard.

    I'm sure the cash from the stadium's naming rights will more than cover it.

  33. ☻☼CBS, FOX, ESPN, NFLN nbc says: August 23, 2009 3:49 AM

    Well the Cowboys are known for hiring shoddy worksman [see practice facility collapse]


    and items suspended on a draw cord have been known to sucumb to gravity [see overhead camera almost kills Tony Romo] .


    That thing is a disaster waiting to come down

  34. jersey73 says: August 23, 2009 7:01 AM

    Measure twice, cut once! (I guess they forgot this adage.)

    Jerry will just add a buck or two to the cost of beer at the stadium and make it up quickly.

  35. kovvboyzfan says: August 23, 2009 7:47 AM

    Big Stretch says:
    August 22, 2009 11:23 PM
    jerry jones is an idiot. how do you not plan that better?

    You're an idiot. The league says that a structure has to be at least 85 feet above the field. These monitors are 90 feet. The league office screwed up and they should have to pay for raising it; if it even needs to be raised at all.

  36. Ralph Gre Nader says: August 23, 2009 7:48 AM

    have the cowboys finally passed the raiders for the title of most diysfunctional team in the league?

    is this actually happening right before my eyes.

  37. steeltownpride says: August 23, 2009 9:03 AM

    if they dont move it every time someone kicks a ball and it hits the screen the cowgirls forfit the game . See how long it take scarry jones to move it .

  38. Zox says: August 23, 2009 9:15 AM

    guyfromahs says:
    August 23, 2009 2:44 AM

    Moving the Jumbotron upward - $2 million. Watching the Cowboys fail at maintaining roofed(2) playing surfaces - Priceless.


    Haven't you heard? That whole "priceless" thing has been retired. Please refrain from using that again. Thank you.

  39. Derrick says: August 23, 2009 9:34 AM

    man, there is some misinformed idiots in here, Jerry was mandated to have the video board 85 feet above the stadium floor, he placed it five feet higher and put it at 90. the league OK'd the plans, and Jerry's the idiot!!!!!! Some of you have a comprehension problem or can't read...

    Where is all the outrage when ESPN and NBC have their wired overhead camera above the field during their games and a punt hit it and there was a do over in those cases, happened atleast three times I remember, I never heard a word, but since it's the cowboys, it's now a problem.

    The titans kicker was clearly trying to hit it, no kicker kicks the ball down the middle of the field, they directional kick.... Funny that the cowboys kicker, Mcbriar, one of the best in the league, never had a problem with it, in fact said, if your goal is to hit, then you will, but that's not the punters job

  40. Zox says: August 23, 2009 9:45 AM

    Derrick says:

    "no kicker kicks the ball down the middle of the field, they directional kick"

    Incorrect. Not when they are backed up on their own side of the field.

  41. shaunypoo says: August 23, 2009 9:49 AM

    The ref is considered a part of the field of play, but a scoreboard 90 feet above the field cannot.


    I say make the play reviewable. It would add a minute or two to only a few games a year and cost nothing. I detest Jerry Jones, but he didn't do anything wrong, especially if he built to specs that the league approved. They want it moved, they should pay for it.

  42. empty13 says: August 23, 2009 10:01 AM

    qualified and union-approved are 2 different things.

    i live in michigan, home of union-thinking. and unions that are just in it for themselves scuttle companies and their own jobs regularly. saw it happen to a fool who lived across the street from me ("we are going to make this company pay!").

    ///////////////////////

    yes based on he practice field snafu, when will jones' jumbotron come down... altho i only saw a camera fall in a seahawks game somewhere...

  43. WeMissYouDan says: August 23, 2009 10:06 AM

    # VoxVeritas says: August 22, 2009 11:49 PM

    lotsa mental midgets on PFT, apparently.

    ===================================

    And the mental midget king has spoken.

  44. VoxVeritas says: August 23, 2009 10:07 AM

    "I were in the league office... my response would be sure thing since we approved it we will pay for it, but we will be removing it entirely to ensure no more mistakes."

    Yeah but instead, gimme some fries with that.

  45. VoxVeritas says: August 23, 2009 10:08 AM

    "Stadium construction needs to comply with ALL the rules PFT, not just your 85 foot reference. The scoreboard is probably violating some other rule."

    What rule would that be? STFU, you probably have a single digit IQ.

  46. stanjam says: August 23, 2009 10:09 AM

    It needs to be moved. The league (if they signed off on it) and Jones are both idiots for not figuring out first how high punters punt. If the league signed off on it, then they should pay to have it moved. If it already can move, and is simply a matter of raising it up during games, then I really don't see what the problem is, except that there is a giant TV in the middle of the stadium, which is kind of idiotic to begin with.

    Jones probably doesn't want to move it because there are likely cameras and directional microphones in the thing for spying.

  47. VoxVeritas says: August 23, 2009 10:09 AM

    "All that money spent and no one said "hey whats the avg height and distance of an NFL punters kick?" "

    The average height of a punt is 85 feet. The distance doesn't matter. You are a screaming idiot.

  48. VoxVeritas says: August 23, 2009 10:12 AM

    "This is very simple....I don't care how high the NFL SAYS it's supposed to be.....punters are hitting it...move it or get fined."

    One punter hit it during a preseason game. Fine him? For following NFL guidelines? How about the NFL fines Dan Snyder for being a stupid midget that couldn't find his ass with both hands tied behind his back?

  49. hmt33 says: August 23, 2009 10:20 AM

    This is funny. The company I work for has already made the parts that will raise and lower the scoreboard. We started on them months ago and finished shipping them in the middle of august. Anything to get people talking about about your stadium.

  50. VoxVeritas says: August 23, 2009 10:20 AM

    "Has anyone thought that maybe the Cowboys did this on purpose?"

    Has anybody thought that maybe you were dropped on your head at birth? Of course they did it on purpose you fuggin' fool.

    "I don't know, Big Stretch, how do you make the "Most talented roster in the NFL" miss the playoffs over and over again?"

    They've missed the playoffs one year in a row. They've made the playoffs two seasons out of the last four. Same as your Eagirls, who have never won jack-shit. Kindly bash your own teeth in with the butt of your rifle, "neckbeard".

    "have the cowboys finally passed the raiders for the title of most diysfunctional team in the league?"

    Don't use big words that you can't spell.


  51. hmt33 says: August 23, 2009 10:25 AM

    Waldo is correct. This is a months old problem.

    When we started making the parts the shop rumor was that it was going to interfere with some concert set ups.

  52. VoxVeritas says: August 23, 2009 10:35 AM

    "yes based on he practice field snafu, when will jones' jumbotron come down"

    When they take it down. When will the Eagirls finally win a Super Bowl? Before or after the Bengals do it? That's the real question, here.

  53. VoxVeritas says: August 23, 2009 10:46 AM

    All of you hosers are getting played like the world's dumbest fiddles yet again by Jerry Jones. He tells you and national media that he won't raise it, on the radio he tells locals that it will be raised, and fact is it will be raised. Meanwhile you're all fahrklempt and talking more and more about the best sports stadium the world has ever seen, creating publicity on a level that you are not smart enough to comprehend! Pure genius. You may not like him, but you dance to his beat whether you want to or not, whether you realize it or not. If we were all to gather in Cowboys Stadium, and we would all fit because it is the biggest room in the world that's not supported by columns, Jerry Jones would be the smartest guy there. I'd be second, and Florio would be like 8th somewhere between Bill in DC and Stephen Hawking, who posts under the alias of "Electric Blue".

  54. Cheetoman says: August 23, 2009 10:58 AM

    They should just lower the field :)

  55. Bob Loblaw says: August 23, 2009 11:26 AM

    I wonder if Jerry is more embarrassed than those of you who went ahead and commented without reading the article, and understanding that the height is league mandated.

    I am a Cowboy fan and was berating Jerry on Friday night, along with the rest of you. Difference is, I am able to process new information and incorporate it into an adjusted opinion, whereas you just aren't so bright.

    Or, to put it into words you might better understand: league fail.

  56. Waldo says: August 23, 2009 11:52 AM

    hmt33 - Yeah, the U2 concert. Instead of permanently raising it, the roof company sold Jerry on the concept of mechanizing it. Last I heard it should be complete after the Giants game.

    Kinda funny what a big deal is being made about this, stoked by Jerry. It sounds like Mort is just making stuff up, I don't think that there is a shred of truth to this article. Why would a pricetag and solution be mentioned, coming from Jones himself, when he already paid many millions more than that for a different solution that is already under construction?

  57. empty13 says: August 23, 2009 12:32 PM

    vox, everyone knows you are a cafeteria cowboys fan who isnt in texas.

    but i am from texas. you post like an insecure little weasel.

    i bet on games, not favoring any team. so dont imagine that i am pulling for anyone. there are certain players i dislike though.

    you can trash talk all those other teams all u want but the one team that had the worst showing last year when all they had to do was "win and be in" LOST

    6-44*

    and right after that happened you were nowhere to be found.

    ps, the baltimore game was special too. at home.

    ////////////////////////

    hell it's only money to jerry. he blows his nose on $100 bills.

    ////////////////////////

    they could be like the metrodome and have massive blowers blowing down cool air from above, making the stadium cold as ice and also keeping punts from getting as high.

    i am sure jerry could get the practice field builders on that project right away.

  58. BigDogWes says: August 23, 2009 12:35 PM

    Cowboy Haters are all over this scoreboard thing I see. Jerry Jones is a smart business man. He has increased the value of the Cowboys beyond that of any team owner in the NFL. That said I agree the scoreboad must be raised slightly. Jerry is just holding ground to get the NFL to foot part if not all of the bill. I call that smart. He followed their rules and got their blessing to hang the innovative scoreboard so if their approved ceiling is too low they should share the cost to raise it. Its just a matter of time before some other team copies the idea and hangs a board like it themselves. You hater love to chat but when Jerry defied the league over sharing merchandise revenue it made the league better because now all teams brand and market themselves. Jerry Leads and the other owners follow. A 1.2 billion dollar masterpiece state of the art stadium and all you folks can do is find fault with the scoreboard. This is an easy fix. And just for thr record, I believe Tennesse tried ti hit the board deliberately to get all the anti Cowboys folks riled up.

  59. jrlc3457 says: August 23, 2009 12:50 PM

    it was clear the Titans 2nd string punter was trying hit it. how many punters try to put the ball in the middle of the field when they can angle it out of bounds or atleast corner the kicker.
    they already have to move it up for the U2 concert & this has been a known issue for a few months.
    i cant get over how incredible that stadium looked & the scoreboard will be a huge success with people that normally couldnt see. i am a huge Cowboys fan & i cant wait to check it out this year! Go Cowboys!

  60. mrmagoo says: August 23, 2009 12:57 PM

    VoxVeritas says:
    August 23, 2009 10:35 AM
    "yes based on he practice field snafu, when will jones' jumbotron come down"

    When they take it down. When will the Eagirls finally win a Super Bowl? Before or after the Bengals do it? That's the real question, here.
    ____________________

    Or after the Cowboys finally win another playoff game. The flagship for mediocrity is remarkably consistent.

  61. east96st says: August 23, 2009 1:51 PM

    VoxVeritas says: "Jerry Jones would be the smartest guy there. I'd be second, and Florio would be like 8th somewhere between Bill in DC and Stephen Hawking, who posts under the alias of "Electric Blue"."

    Vox, if I put you in my son's fourth grade class you wouldn't be the second smartest one in the room. Though, I do believe Florio would have an outside shot at coming in eighth. As for Jones, a truly smart man realizes his limitations. Clearly, Jones hasn't been able to figure out that he can't be the de facto coach for his football team. Since you like stats, has there EVER been another team that had ELEVEN Pro Bowl players and lost at HOME to a wildcard team before? I would lean towards no.

  62. spyboots says: August 23, 2009 2:54 PM

    "and items suspended on a draw cord have been known to sucumb to gravity [see overhead camera almost kills Tony Romo] ."


    That the thing might come falling down on the players worries me more than the punted footballs hitting it. Sounds very dangerous (plus it really looks outrageously stupid.)

  63. ScreamingIdiot says: August 23, 2009 4:28 PM

    This must have been one of Obama's "Shovel ready projects".

    Expect more of this quality of work in America with Gov. paying jobs....

    Go USA?

  64. Jackal138 says: August 23, 2009 8:39 PM

    Gotta love Cowboys posts. 40+ posts ranging from bashing the Boys to supporting them, and 40+ more from Vox Veritas, spewing his troll nonsense ad naseum.

    Vox, I know you think my neckbeard line is clever. You can just say "Hey, Jackal, that was a good one, you really burned me there" instead of trying to throw it back to me like you thought of it.

    I'd do the same for you, y'know, if in your feeble attempts to insult me you actually said something intelligent.

  65. Leticia says: August 24, 2009 12:36 AM

    I honestly believe that it is being taken out of proportion!!! And more thanlikely the people complaining are not Cowboys fans!!!!!!

  66. texasPHINSfan says: August 24, 2009 12:03 PM

    you know, when i *first* saw that monstrousity in that new stadium, the FIRST thing i wondered was how that works with regards to punts.

    how on earth did NONE of these guys think of that? It is common sense. Don't make the pomp & circumstance bigger than the game. Jones is making it a circus down there.

  67. CeltsPatsSox99 says: August 24, 2009 2:00 PM

    Doesnt matter really...the cowboys are awful and are going to be lucky if they even make the playoffs. Video screen or no video screen. They should just move it and be done with it. If the Patriots did it everyone would be saying CHEATERS! CHEATERS!.

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