🔗 Share this article Cowboys Proprietor Jones Fined $250,000 for ‘Inadvertent’ Obscene Gesture toward Fans The NFL has imposed a substantial $250,000 fine on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for an action he claims was an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal made toward fans during a Sunday’s contest at the Jets’ stadium. Viral video clips seemed to capture Jones making an obscene gesture at Jets fans, though he maintains he was actually giving a thumbs-up to Cowboys fans in attendance as his team secured a 37-22 victory. “That was unfortunate. It was essentially an interaction with Cowboys supporters seated near me,” Jones stated during a radio appearance. “Present was a large group of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, our fans. The whole venue was filled with enthusiasm for the Cowboys.” He further clarified that the signal was completely accidental, occurring amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I just put up the wrong finger,” he remarked. “The action was inadvertently performed. This is sincere. Should you call it unplanned, you can. But it got resolved rapidly.” League Context for Proprietor Fines This is not the first time an NFL owner has been fined for misconduct. Previous examples involve: Panthers proprietor Tepper was fined $300,000 for throwing a drink at spectators in January 2024. Then Titans owner Bud Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar offensive signal. Jones, who is recognized for his publicity flair, reportedly has an estimated net worth of around $16bn, so the fine manageable for the billionaire owner. Recent Controversies and Media Spotlight The incident comes after a controversial offseason for Jones, who faced widespread criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt star pass rusher Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Moreover, Jones was a central subject in a streaming series that examined his role in developing the Dallas franchise into the world’s highest-worth sports franchise, despite its modern-era championship drought. The NFL’s action to penalize Jones highlights its continuing effort to maintain professional conduct among all team officials, irrespective of their status or wealth.