Jones Fined At Least $100,000 For Violating Labor Talks Gag Order

Jones Says Comments Made To Assist Fellow Owner's Pursuit Of New Stadium

The NFL has fined Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones at least $100,000 for "violating a gag order on labor issues" for comments he made on September 4 about revenue sharing, according to sources cited by Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com. Jones stated that revenue sharing is "on its way out" during an interview "intended to support" Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf's efforts for a new stadium. Revenue sharing is "considered a critical component of the NFL's pending collective bargaining talks since the owners exercised an option in May 2008 to terminate the deal after the 2010 season." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had issued a gag order for "all owners and team executives from discussing any aspect of the pending labor issues," and sources said that he "distributed a memo Friday to all 32 owners, along with a reminder that the gag order remains in effect." Jones yesterday released a statement saying, "If my comments in Minnesota were viewed as being over the line, then so be it. The comments were made in an effort to assist a fellow NFL owner and his team's pursuit of bringing a new stadium to the fans of the Twin Cities. Having just completed the process of stadium construction, and knowing how much it means to an NFL market, this is something that I would do for any of my ownership partners. It just goes to show how intertwined labor issues are with the construction of new stadiums -- from a positive perspective" (ESPN.com, 9/13).

COMMENTS WERE MISCONSTRUED: Goodell said Jones' comments "were misconstrued to a large extent, and it's one of the reasons we have a rule with respect to public discussion of these issues, because they're very difficult and can be misconstrued." Goodell: "The reality is those things should be settled at the table. Revenue sharing will always be a part of the National Football League" ("Football Night In America," NBC, 9/13). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Tom Curran wrote, "While a gag order is a gag order, the league no doubt feels Jones' statements were even more in need of stifling because they reveal a schism among ownership about revenue sharing." With the NFLPA making a "big deal about owners needing to have their own house in order during the 2006 CBA negotiations, the union will certainly seize on this apparent discord again" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/13). Newsday NFL reporter Bob Glauber said Jones' fine is a "far more important situation than would meet the eye" ("ESPN First Take," ESPN2, 9/14).