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The National Football League has imposed a hefty $250,000 penalty on Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jones for an action he describes as an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal made toward attendees during a recent game at the Jets’ stadium.

Widely circulated footage appeared to show Jones flashing his middle finger toward opposing supporters, but Jones insists he was actually giving a thumbs-up to Cowboys fans in attendance as his team clinched a decisive win.

“That was regrettable. That was essentially an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones stated during a Tuesday interview. “Present was a swarm of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, our fans. The whole venue was filled with enthusiasm for the Dallas team.”

Jones additionally emphasized that the gesture was completely unintentional, occurring amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I simply put up the wrong finger,” he noted. “It was inadvertently done. I’m not kidding. Should you call it unplanned, you can. However, it got corrected pretty quick.”

League Precedent for Proprietor Penalties

This incident isn’t the initial instance an league proprietor has been penalized for misconduct. Recent examples include:

• Panthers owner David Tepper was penalized $300K for throwing a drink at fans in January 2024.
• Former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar obscene gesture.

Jones, who is known for his publicity flair, possesses an estimated net worth of $16 billion, making the fine easily payable for the wealthy owner.

Offseason Controversies and Public Attention

The incident follows a contentious offseason for Jones, who faced significant criticism from the Dallas supporters after the team dealt key pass rusher Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Moreover, Jones was a prominent figure in a streaming series that examined his influence in developing the Dallas franchise into the world’s highest-worth sports franchise, despite its recent title shortcomings.

The league’s decision to fine Jones underscores its continuing initiative to uphold professional conduct among all franchise representatives, regardless of their status or wealth.