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The National Football League has imposed a substantial $250,000 penalty on Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jones for an action he describes as an “unintentional” obscene gesture directed at attendees during a recent game at the Jets’ stadium.

Viral video clips seemed to capture Jones making an obscene gesture at Jets fans, though he insists he was actually giving a thumbs-up to Cowboys fans in attendance as his team secured a 37-22 victory.

“That was unfortunate. That was essentially an interaction with our fans out in front of us,” Jones explained during a Tuesday interview. “Present was a swarm of Dallas supporters—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was brimming with excitement for the Dallas team.”

Jones additionally clarified that the signal was completely unintentional, occurring amid the elation following the team’s last score. “I simply put up the wrong finger,” he noted. “The action was inadvertently performed. This is sincere. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. But it got corrected rapidly.”

League Context for Proprietor Penalties

This is not the first time an league proprietor has been fined for inappropriate behavior. Recent cases involve:

• Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was penalized $300K for throwing a drink at fans in early 2024.
• Then Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was issued a $250,000 fine in 2009 for a similar offensive signal.

Jones, who is known for his media savvy, reportedly has an approximate net worth of around $16bn, making the penalty manageable for the billionaire owner.

Offseason Issues and Media Spotlight

The incident follows a contentious offseason for Jones, who encountered widespread backlash from the Dallas supporters after the team dealt star defensive player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Moreover, Jones was a central subject in a Netflix documentary that examined his influence in developing the Cowboys into the globe’s most valuable sports franchise, despite its recent title shortcomings.

The NFL’s decision to fine Jones highlights its continuing effort to maintain professional conduct among all team officials, regardless of their position or financial standing.