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The National Football League has imposed a hefty $250,000 fine on Cowboys proprietor Jones for an action he claims was an “unintentional” obscene gesture directed at fans during a recent contest at MetLife Stadium.

Widely circulated footage seemed to capture Jones making an obscene gesture at Jets fans, though he insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans present at the game as his team secured a 37-22 victory.

“That was regrettable. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones stated during a Tuesday interview. “There was a swarm of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, our fans. The whole venue was brimming with excitement for the Dallas team.”

Jones additionally clarified that the signal was entirely accidental, happening amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I just showed the incorrect finger,” he noted. “It was accidentally performed. I’m not kidding. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. But it got corrected rapidly.”

Historical Precedent for Owner Fines

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

• Panthers proprietor Tepper was fined $300,000 for tossing a beverage at fans in early 2024.
• Then Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a comparable offensive signal.

Jones, a figure who is known for his media savvy, possesses an approximate net worth of around $16bn, making the fine easily payable for the billionaire proprietor.

Offseason Controversies and Public Spotlight

This event comes after a contentious offseason for Jones, who faced widespread criticism from the Dallas supporters after the team dealt star pass rusher Parsons to the Packers.

Additionally, Jones was a central subject in a Netflix documentary that explored his influence in building the Dallas franchise into the world’s highest-worth sports franchise, despite its modern-era title shortcomings.

The NFL’s action to penalize Jones underscores its ongoing effort to uphold professional conduct among all team officials, regardless of their position or financial standing.