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The NFL has imposed a hefty $250,000 fine on Cowboys proprietor Jones for an action he describes as an “inadvertent” obscene gesture directed at attendees during a Sunday’s game at the Jets’ stadium.

Viral video clips appeared to show Jones flashing his middle finger toward opposing supporters, but Jones maintains he was actually signaling approval to Dallas supporters present at the game as his team secured a 37-22 victory.

“It was unfortunate. That was essentially an exchange with our fans seated near me,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “Present was a swarm of Cowboys fans—not New York fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was filled with excitement for the Dallas team.”

He further emphasized that the signal was entirely accidental, happening amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I simply put up the wrong digit,” he noted. “It was inadvertently performed. I’m not kidding. Should you call it unplanned, you can. But it got corrected pretty quick.”

Historical Precedent for Owner Penalties

This incident isn’t the initial instance an league proprietor has been penalized for misconduct. Previous examples involve:

• Panthers owner David Tepper was penalized $300K for tossing a beverage at spectators in early 2024.
• Then Tennessee Titans proprietor Adams was issued a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar obscene gesture.

Jones, who is known for his publicity flair, possesses an approximate net worth of around $16bn, so the penalty easily payable for the wealthy proprietor.

Offseason Controversies and Public Spotlight

This event comes after a contentious offseason for Jones, who faced widespread criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Additionally, Jones was a central subject in a streaming series that examined his role in developing the Cowboys into the world’s most valuable athletic organization, despite its recent championship drought.

The league’s action to penalize Jones underscores its continuing effort to uphold professional conduct among all franchise representatives, irrespective of their status or financial standing.