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The National Football League has levied a hefty $250,000 fine on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for an action he describes as an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal made toward attendees during a recent game at MetLife Stadium.

Widely circulated footage seemed to capture Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, though he insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans present at the game as his team clinched a decisive win.

“That was unfortunate. It was kind of an exchange with Cowboys supporters out in front of us,” Jones stated during a radio appearance. “Present was a swarm of Dallas supporters—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was brimming with excitement for the Cowboys.”

He further clarified that the signal was entirely accidental, happening amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I simply put up the incorrect finger,” he remarked. “It was accidentally performed. This is sincere. Should you call it accidental, you can. However, it got corrected pretty quick.”

League Precedent for Proprietor Penalties

This is not the first time an league proprietor has been fined for misconduct. Recent examples involve:

• Panthers proprietor Tepper was penalized $300K for throwing a drink at fans in January 2024.
• Then Titans owner Bud Adams received a $250,000 fine in 2009 for a comparable obscene gesture.

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

Offseason Controversies and Media Spotlight

The incident comes after a contentious offseason for Jones, who faced significant criticism from the Dallas supporters after the team dealt key defensive player Parsons to the Packers.

Moreover, Jones was a prominent subject in a Netflix documentary that explored his influence in building the Cowboys into the globe’s most valuable athletic organization, despite its recent title shortcomings.

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