NFL Could Force Jerry Jones To Forfeit Ownership?

Jerry Jones‘ stand against the NFL hasn’t abated in recent days, and the saga has reached enough of a boiling point that several other owners have discussed a “nuclear option” that would force Jones to forfeit the Cowboys franchise, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Jerry jones (Vertical)

According to the league’s bylaws, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can decide an owner has acted in a manner “detrimental to the welfare of the League or professional football” and assess a $500K fine. However, if Goodell decides further punishment is in order, he could pass the case on to the NFL’s Executive Committee, which could then force the “cancellation or forfeiture” of a team, per Florio.

While the option exists, the concept of the league forcing Jones to give up control of the Dallas organization is unlikely to occur, according to Florio, especially because the outcome would likely be lawsuits from both parties. But Jones has certainly done his fair share of harping against the NFL over the past week: he’s not only threatened to sue the league, but insists owners are being “misled” on the details of Goodell’s proposed contract extension.

Jones may have also affected the business of the NFL and its sponsors, as owners reportedly believe Jones convinced Papa John’s owner CEO John Schnatter to blame the league for not only decreased ratings, but a downturn in Papa John’s sales. That Jones took “family business outside the family” could potentially push the NFL’s other owners to their breaking point, per Florio.

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