🔗 Share this article Dallas Cowboys Owner Jones Fined $250,000 for ‘Inadvertent’ Obscene Gesture at Fans The NFL has levied a hefty $250,000 fine on Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jones for what he claims was an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal made toward attendees during a Sunday’s game at the Jets’ stadium. Viral video clips seemed to capture Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, though he insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans in attendance as his team secured a decisive win. “That was regrettable. That was kind of an interaction with our fans out in front of us,” Jones explained during a Tuesday interview. “There was a large group of Cowboys fans—not New York fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was brimming with excitement for the Dallas team.” He further clarified that the gesture was entirely accidental, happening amid the elation following the team’s final touchdown. “I simply put up the wrong digit,” he noted. “The action was accidentally done. I’m not kidding. Should you call it accidental, you can. But it got corrected rapidly.” League Context for Proprietor Penalties This incident isn’t the initial instance an league proprietor has been penalized for inappropriate behavior. Recent examples involve: Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 for throwing a drink at fans in early 2024. Then Titans proprietor Adams was issued a $250,000 fine in 2009 for a similar obscene gesture. Jones, who is known for his media savvy, reportedly has an estimated wealth of around $16bn, so the fine easily payable for the billionaire proprietor. Recent Controversies and Public Spotlight This event follows a controversial offseason for Jones, who encountered significant criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt key defensive player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Moreover, Jones was a prominent figure in a streaming series that explored his influence in developing the Cowboys into the world’s highest-worth athletic organization, even with its recent title shortcomings. The league’s decision to fine Jones highlights its ongoing initiative to uphold professional conduct among all team officials, irrespective of their status or financial standing.