Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones was reportedly hit with a $250,000 fine by the NFL on Tuesday after he flashed an obscene gesture to fans during the team’s win over the New York Jets on Sunday. The league cited a video posted to social media showing Jones flipping the middle finger toward fans, according to ESPN. The fine came days after a widely shared video captured the incident, which sparked immediate backlash from fans and media.
Jones attempted to address the incident in a press conference, explaining that his intent was not to insult fans but to show a thumbs-up gesture. “That was unfortunate,” he told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, via The Athletic. “There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out front. It was right after we made our last touchdown. I put up the wrong show of hand. The intention was thumbs up.”
The incident is not the first time an NFL team owner has faced such a punishment. Former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for an obscene gesture toward fans after the team’s win over the Buffalo Bills in 2022. Similarly, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper received a $300,000 fine in 2023 for throwing a drink toward Jacksonville Jaguars fans. These fines have become a point of reference in the NFL’s efforts to maintain a respectful environment for fans and players alike.
While the $250,000 penalty may seem significant, it is considered a minor cost for the billionaire owner, who purchased the Cowboys franchise in 1989 for $140 million and helped transform it into an organization valued at $13 billion, according to Forbes. The Cowboys’ victory over the Jets improved their record to 2-2-1, placing them in a competitive position within the league.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about the role of team owners in maintaining fan engagement and the expectations for behavior at live events. The NFL’s strict enforcement of conduct guidelines reflects its commitment to preserving the integrity of the league and the fan experience.
Dallas’s win over the Jets marked another step in the team’s season, but the fines and the attention on Jerry Jones have brought into focus the pressures and responsibilities that come with leading a major sports franchise.