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

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

“It was unfortunate. It was essentially an interaction with Cowboys supporters seated near me,” Jones explained during a Tuesday interview. “There was a swarm of Cowboys fans—not New York fans, our fans. The entire stadium was brimming with enthusiasm for the Cowboys.”

Jones additionally clarified that the signal was entirely accidental, happening amid the elation following the team’s last score. “I simply showed the wrong finger,” he remarked. “The action was accidentally performed. I’m not kidding. Should you call it unplanned, you can. However, it got corrected pretty quick.”

Historical Precedent for Owner Penalties

This incident isn’t the first time an league proprietor has been fined for inappropriate behavior. Previous examples involve:

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

Jones, who is known for his media savvy, reportedly has an approximate wealth of around $16bn, making the fine easily payable for the wealthy proprietor.

Offseason Issues and Public Attention

This event follows a contentious offseason for Jones, who faced significant criticism from the Dallas supporters after the team dealt star defensive player Parsons to the Packers.

Additionally, Jones was a prominent figure in a Netflix documentary that explored his role in building the Cowboys into the globe’s highest-worth athletic organization, despite its modern-era title shortcomings.

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