🔗 Share this article

The National Football League has imposed a substantial $250,000 fine on Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jones for an action he describes as an “unintentional” obscene gesture directed at attendees during a recent contest at MetLife Stadium.

Viral video clips appeared to show Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, but Jones maintains he was actually giving a thumbs-up to Cowboys fans present at the game as his team clinched a 37-22 victory.

“It was regrettable. It was essentially an interaction with our fans seated near me,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “There was a large group of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, our fans. The whole venue was filled with enthusiasm for the Cowboys.”

He further emphasized that the gesture was completely unintentional, happening amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I simply put up the incorrect digit,” he noted. “The action was inadvertently done. This is sincere. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. But it got resolved rapidly.”

League Precedent for Proprietor Penalties

This is not the initial instance an NFL owner has been penalized for misconduct. Recent examples involve:

• Carolina Panthers proprietor Tepper was fined $300,000 for throwing a drink at spectators in January 2024.
• Then Titans owner Bud Adams was issued a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar offensive signal.

Jones, a figure who is recognized for his publicity flair, possesses an estimated wealth of around $16bn, so the penalty manageable for the billionaire owner.

Offseason Issues and Media Spotlight

This event follows a controversial preseason for Jones, who encountered significant backlash from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt star defensive player Micah Parsons to the Packers.

Moreover, Jones was a prominent figure in a streaming series that explored his role in developing the Dallas franchise into the world’s most valuable athletic organization, despite its modern-era title shortcomings.

The NFL’s action to penalize Jones highlights its ongoing effort to uphold professional conduct among all franchise representatives, irrespective of their position or wealth.