🔗 Share this article

The National Football League has levied a substantial $250,000 penalty on Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jones for what he claims was an “inadvertent” obscene gesture made toward fans during a Sunday’s game at the Jets’ stadium.

Widely circulated footage seemed to capture Jones making an obscene gesture toward opposing supporters, though he insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans present at the game as his team clinched a decisive win.

“It was regrettable. It was essentially an interaction with our fans seated near me,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “Present was a large group of Dallas supporters—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The entire stadium was filled with excitement for the Cowboys.”

Jones additionally emphasized that the signal was completely unintentional, occurring amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I simply put up the incorrect digit,” he noted. “It was accidentally done. This is sincere. Should you call it unplanned, you can. However, it got corrected pretty quick.”

League Precedent for Owner Fines

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

• Panthers proprietor Tepper was penalized $300K for tossing a beverage at fans in January 2024.
• Former Titans proprietor Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar obscene gesture.

Jones, who is recognized for his publicity flair, possesses an estimated wealth of $16 billion, making the penalty manageable for the wealthy proprietor.

Recent Issues and Media Attention

The incident comes after a controversial offseason for Jones, who encountered widespread backlash from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt key defensive player Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Moreover, Jones was a central subject in a streaming series that explored his influence in developing the Cowboys into the globe’s most valuable athletic organization, even with its modern-era championship drought.

The league’s action to penalize Jones highlights its continuing effort to uphold proper behavior among all team officials, irrespective of their position or wealth.