🔗 Share this article Dallas Cowboys Owner Jones Penalized $250,000 for ‘Inadvertent’ Obscene Gesture at Spectators The National Football League has levied a hefty $250,000 penalty on Cowboys proprietor Jones for what he claims was an “unintentional” obscene gesture directed at attendees during a Sunday’s contest at MetLife Stadium. Widely circulated footage appeared to show Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, though he insists he was actually giving a thumbs-up to Cowboys fans present at the game as his team clinched a 37-22 victory. “It was unfortunate. That was kind of an interaction with Cowboys supporters seated near me,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “There was a swarm of Dallas supporters—not New York fans, our fans. The whole venue was filled with enthusiasm for the Dallas team.” He further emphasized that the gesture was completely unintentional, happening amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I just put up the wrong finger,” he remarked. “It was inadvertently done. This is sincere. Should you call it accidental, you can. But it got corrected pretty quick.” Historical Context for Owner Fines This incident isn’t the initial instance an NFL owner has been penalized for misconduct. Recent cases involve: Panthers owner David Tepper was penalized $300K for throwing a drink at spectators in early 2024. Then Titans proprietor Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar obscene gesture. Jones, who is recognized for his media savvy, reportedly has an estimated net worth of $16 billion, making the penalty easily payable for the wealthy owner. Recent Issues and Media Spotlight The incident comes after a contentious offseason for Jones, who encountered significant criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team traded key defensive player Parsons to the Packers. Additionally, Jones was a prominent figure in a Netflix documentary that explored his influence in building the Dallas franchise into the globe’s highest-worth sports franchise, even with its modern-era championship drought. The NFL’s action to penalize Jones underscores its continuing initiative to maintain professional conduct among all team officials, irrespective of their status or financial standing.