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The NFL has imposed a substantial $250,000 fine on Cowboys proprietor Jones for an action he claims was an “unintentional” obscene gesture made toward attendees during a Sunday’s contest at MetLife Stadium.

Viral video clips appeared to show Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, but Jones maintains he was actually signaling approval to Dallas supporters in attendance as his team secured a 37-22 victory.

“That was regrettable. That was essentially an interaction with Cowboys supporters seated near me,” Jones explained during a Tuesday interview. “Present was a large group of Dallas supporters—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The entire stadium was brimming with excitement for the Cowboys.”

Jones additionally emphasized that the signal was completely unintentional, happening amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I just showed the wrong digit,” he noted. “It was inadvertently performed. This is sincere. If you want to call it accidental, you can. But it got resolved pretty quick.”

League Precedent for Owner Fines

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

• Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 for throwing a drink at fans in January 2024.
• Then Titans proprietor Adams was issued a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a comparable obscene gesture.

Jones, who is recognized for his media savvy, possesses an estimated net worth of around $16bn, making the fine easily payable for the billionaire owner.

Recent Issues and Public Attention

This event follows a contentious preseason for Jones, who encountered significant backlash from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt key defensive player Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Additionally, Jones was a prominent subject in a streaming series that explored his role in developing the Dallas franchise into the world’s highest-worth sports franchise, despite its recent title shortcomings.

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