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The National Football League has levied a substantial $250,000 fine on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for an action he claims was an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal directed at fans during a Sunday’s contest at the Jets’ stadium.

Viral video clips seemed to capture Jones making an obscene gesture toward opposing supporters, but Jones insists he was actually giving a thumbs-up to Dallas supporters in attendance as his team secured a decisive win.

“It was unfortunate. It was kind of an interaction with Cowboys supporters seated near me,” Jones stated during a radio appearance. “Present was a swarm of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, our fans. The entire stadium was brimming with excitement for the Cowboys.”

Jones additionally clarified that the signal was entirely unintentional, happening amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I just showed the incorrect finger,” he noted. “The action was accidentally performed. This is sincere. Should you call it accidental, you can. But it got resolved rapidly.”

League Context for Proprietor Fines

This incident isn’t the initial instance an NFL owner has been fined for misconduct. Previous examples involve:

• Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 for tossing a beverage at fans in January 2024.
• Former Titans proprietor Adams was issued a $250,000 fine in 2009 for a comparable obscene gesture.

Jones, who is known for his publicity flair, reportedly has an approximate net worth of around $16bn, making the penalty easily payable for the billionaire proprietor.

Offseason Issues and Media Attention

The incident follows a contentious offseason for Jones, who faced significant backlash from the Cowboys fanbase after the team traded star defensive player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Additionally, Jones was a prominent subject in a streaming series that examined his influence in building the Dallas franchise into the world’s most valuable sports franchise, even with its recent title shortcomings.

The NFL’s decision to fine Jones underscores its continuing effort to maintain proper behavior among all team officials, regardless of their position or financial standing.