🔗 Share this article Dallas Cowboys Owner Jones Fined $250,000 for ‘Accidental’ Obscene Gesture at Spectators The NFL has levied a hefty $250,000 penalty on Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jones for what he describes as an “inadvertent” obscene gesture directed at attendees during a Sunday’s game at the Jets’ stadium. Viral video clips seemed to capture Jones making an obscene gesture at Jets fans, but Jones insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans in attendance as his team clinched a 37-22 victory. “It was regrettable. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones stated during a radio appearance. “There was a large group of Dallas supporters—not New York fans, our fans. The whole venue was filled with excitement for the Cowboys.” Jones additionally emphasized that the gesture was entirely accidental, happening amid the elation following the team’s last score. “I just showed the incorrect digit,” he noted. “It was inadvertently performed. This is sincere. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. However, it got corrected rapidly.” League Precedent for Proprietor Penalties This incident isn’t the first time an league proprietor has been penalized for misconduct. Recent cases involve: Panthers owner David Tepper was penalized $300K for throwing a drink at fans in January 2024. Then Tennessee Titans proprietor Adams was issued a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar obscene gesture. Jones, a figure who is known for his media savvy, reportedly has an approximate net worth of $16 billion, so the fine easily payable for the wealthy proprietor. Offseason Issues and Media Attention The incident follows a controversial offseason for Jones, who faced widespread backlash from the Dallas supporters after the team traded key defensive player Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Additionally, Jones was a prominent figure in a streaming series that explored his influence in developing the Cowboys into the world’s most valuable sports franchise, even with its recent title shortcomings. The NFL’s action to penalize Jones underscores its ongoing initiative to uphold proper behavior among all team officials, regardless of their status or wealth.