Someone usually pays the price when the world’s richest sports team is embarrassed again at home.

To close the 2023 season, Jerry Jones’ Cowboys – valued at $10 billion, more than Manchester United – were down 41-16 in a home playoff game before playing out a meaningless fourth quarter.

Last week, the Cowboys trailed Derek Carr’s Saints 35-13 before halftime even arrived.

In the end, an 11-year veteran, benched and released by the Raiders, outperformed Dak Prescott, who is making an NFL-record $60 million a year.

Even David Tepper’s Panthers wouldn’t fire their coach after two games.

But how much longer will Jones tolerate Mike McCarthy’s inability to motivate Dallas’ players and fanbase?

How much more will the $10 billion Cowboys – once America’s Team but now a joke on ESPN and social media – endure?

A Week 3 loss to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, desperate for a win after a surprising 0-2 start, will only worsen McCarthy’s situation.

“The Cowboys just lost to a team without a running quarterback,” said Phoebe Schecter, former Bills coach.

“Now they’re facing the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson. They’ve got Derrick Henry. They can run all over you.

“The Cowboys, one, can’t run the ball. Two, they can’t stop the run. Now you’re facing a team whose strengths are your weaknesses.

“I am really worried for this Cowboys game.”

Thanks to his huge contract, Prescott isn’t leaving, despite being 2-5 in the playoffs.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb signed a $136 million extension before the season, meaning Jones is paying $376 million to two offensive players – and Dallas still has to pay edge rusher Micah Parsons.

The 81-year-old Jones controls everything for the Cowboys in terms of spending and managing the cap, so he’s not firing himself.

How did the Cowboys become the world’s richest team, ahead of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, the Patriots, and the Yankees?

With Jones as owner, president, and GM of a team that consistently underperforms in the playoffs, there’s only one move left if Dallas fails again.

Fire McCarthy, who’s 43-26 since taking over in 2020, but just 1-3 in the playoffs.

“Bill (Belichick) would never work, because Jerry World is always on show,” Schecter said. “Sean Payton is always interesting.”

Will Gavin, talkSPORT End Zone host, downplayed the idea of Belichick saving the Cowboys.

“There is absolutely no chance Bill Belichick takes the Cowboys job,” Gavin said.

“As we saw this offseason when the Falcons had interest in him, it’s too much control. They already have a GM they love.”

If home blowouts and playoff failures continue, something will have to change in Dallas.

Jones is paying too much for Prescott to get torched by Carr.

The top-heavy Cowboys have too many stars to be embarrassed by Green Bay and New Orleans, while in-state rivals the Texans look like real Super Bowl contenders.

Dallas’ turnaround must start Sunday against the Ravens if a $10 billion team still has enough pride.

In February, it will be 30 years since Jones and his Cowboys played in – and won – the Super Bowl.

Anything short of that this season should push Dallas to fire McCarthy and find a better coach.