"NFL Owner David Tepper Fined for Disrespectful Drink Toss, Faces Backlash from Players and Fans"
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for throwing a drink at a fan, a penalty that is disproportionately low given his wealth. This incident highlights a broader issue within the NFL where owners are subject to a different standard of behavior compared to players, with the league's personal conduct policy often not applied to them with the same rigor. The policy has been criticized for being more lenient towards owners while being increasingly strict and expansive regarding player conduct, even allowing for the investigation of actions prior to a player's NFL career. This double standard emphasizes the power imbalance between NFL ownership and players, reinforcing a dynamic where owners are seen as above the rules that apply to the rest of the NFL community.