🔗 Share this article Cowboys Proprietor Jerry Jones Fined $250,000 for ‘Inadvertent’ Offensive Signal toward Spectators The National Football League has levied a hefty $250,000 fine on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for what he claims was an “inadvertent” obscene gesture made toward fans during a Sunday’s contest at the Jets’ stadium. Viral video clips 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 regrettable. That was kind of an interaction with our fans out in front of us,” Jones stated during a Tuesday interview. “There was a swarm of Cowboys fans—not New York fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was brimming with enthusiasm for the Cowboys.” He further clarified that the signal was entirely accidental, occurring amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I just showed the wrong digit,” he noted. “The action was accidentally done. I’m not kidding. If you want to call it accidental, you can. But it got corrected rapidly.” League Precedent for Owner Fines This incident isn’t the initial instance an NFL owner has been fined for inappropriate behavior. Recent examples involve: Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was penalized $300K for throwing a drink at spectators in January 2024. Former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar offensive signal. Jones, who is known for his publicity flair, possesses an estimated wealth of $16 billion, so the penalty easily payable for the billionaire owner. Offseason Controversies and Media Attention The incident comes after a contentious preseason for Jones, who faced widespread criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt key pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Moreover, Jones was a central subject in a streaming series that examined his role in developing the Cowboys into the world’s highest-worth athletic organization, even with its recent championship drought. The league’s action to penalize Jones underscores its continuing effort to uphold professional conduct among all team officials, regardless of their status or wealth.