🔗 Share this article Dallas Cowboys Proprietor Jones Fined $250,000 for ‘Inadvertent’ Obscene Gesture toward Fans The NFL has imposed a hefty $250,000 penalty on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for what he claims was an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal directed at attendees during a Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium. Widely circulated footage seemed to capture Jones making an obscene gesture at Jets fans, but Jones maintains he was actually signaling approval to Dallas supporters present at the game as his team clinched a decisive win. “That was regrettable. That was kind of an exchange with Cowboys supporters seated near me,” Jones explained during a Tuesday interview. “Present was a swarm of Cowboys fans—not New York fans, our fans. The whole venue was brimming with enthusiasm for the Dallas team.” He further clarified that the gesture was entirely unintentional, happening amid the elation following the team’s final touchdown. “I simply put up the incorrect finger,” he noted. “It was accidentally performed. This is sincere. If you want to call it accidental, you can. However, it got resolved rapidly.” Historical Context for Proprietor Penalties This is not the first time an league proprietor has been fined for misconduct. Recent cases involve: Panthers owner David Tepper was penalized $300K for throwing a drink at fans in January 2024. Then Titans owner Bud Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a comparable obscene gesture. Jones, a figure who is known for his media savvy, possesses an estimated wealth of $16 billion, making the penalty easily payable for the billionaire proprietor. Offseason Controversies and Media Spotlight The incident comes after a controversial offseason for Jones, who encountered widespread backlash 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 examined his role in building the Cowboys into the globe’s highest-worth athletic organization, despite its modern-era championship drought. The NFL’s decision to fine Jones underscores its ongoing effort to uphold professional conduct among all franchise representatives, regardless of their status or financial standing.