Jerry Jones accused of 'detrimental' actions in letter on behalf of compensation committee

Kevin Spain | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption NFL civil war: Jerry Jones vs. Roger Goodell SportsPulse: NFL insider Jarrett Bell on the ongoing public feud between Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell over Goodell's contract.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been acting in a way that is “detrimental to the league’s best interests,” according to a letter sent to Jones by outside counsel representing the NFL's compensation committee.

The news first was reported by the Wall Street Journal. The letter, dated Wednesday and sent by outside counsel Brad Karp, was obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Jones has has been critical of the negotiations on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract extension.

Jones has threatened to sue the NFL over the talks, saying that owners had been misled about facts regarding Goodell's deal.

The letter claims "there is no legitimate basis for Mr. Jones to circulate to the full ownership a three-month-old document from a consultant to the Committee - a document that Mr. Jones personally knows to be an outdated, historical artifact of no relevance whatsoever in the context of these lengthy negotiations."

It also says that Jones' “antics, whatever their motivation, are damaging the League.” It also says "urge Mr. Jones to support the Committee's deliberations, not attempt to sabotage them."

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is the head of the committee, and had allowed Jones to join on an ad-hoc basis. That invitation was rescinded last week by Blank, and the two did not greet each other before the Falcons-Cowboys game Sunday.

Some of the other owners were so upset with Jones, they threatened to have him removed from the Cowboys, according to the Journal and New York Times. The committee sent him a 'cease-and-desist' letter. Jones responded earlier this week by saying that removing him was "laughable" and "ridiculous."

All 32 owners voted in May to extend Goodell's contract and authorized the compensation committee to work out the details. The league and Goodell have been working on a five-year deal to kick in when his current deal expires in 2019.

Jones didn't begin pushing back against the extension until after Goodell suspended his star running back, Ezekiel Elliott, six games for alleged domestic abuse.

Elliott dropped his appeal earlier Wednesday and will serve the remainder of his suspension. He can return to play by the Cowboys' penultimate game of the regular season on Dec. 24.

Follow Kevin Spain on Twitter @kevin_spain