Dallas Cowboys Fan Sues Netflix Over Documentary Clip

Lawsuit alleges unauthorized use of viral video showing fan destroying TV after loss.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:15pm

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A Dallas Cowboys fan has filed a lawsuit against Netflix and the producers of a new documentary film titled "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys" for including a clip of the fan's viral video showing him punching, ripping off the wall, and shooting his TV after a Monday Night Football loss. The lawsuit alleges the use of the copyright-protected video was unauthorized.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the boundaries of copyright law when it comes to the use of viral videos and user-generated content in documentary films. Documentaries often rely on incorporating various types of footage, but this lawsuit argues that the filmmakers should have obtained permission to use the specific copyrighted video clip.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by Dallas resident Juan Gonzales in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Gonzales' video of himself destroying his TV after a Cowboys loss to the Arizona Cardinals went viral online. Netflix and the documentary's producers are accused of including this copyrighted video footage without Gonzales' permission.

  • Gonzales posted the viral video of himself destroying his TV after a Monday Night Football loss in 2025.
  • Netflix released the documentary "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys" in January 2026.

The players

Juan Gonzales

A Dallas Cowboys fan who posted a viral video of himself punching, ripping off the wall, and shooting his TV after a loss.

Netflix US LLC

The streaming service that released the documentary film "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys" which included the copyrighted video footage without permission.

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What they’re saying

“We must respect the intellectual property rights of content creators, even when their videos go viral. This lawsuit will test the boundaries of fair use in documentary filmmaking.”

— Intellectual Property Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will determine whether Netflix's use of the video clip falls under fair use exceptions or if Gonzales has a valid copyright infringement claim.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the complex legal issues that can arise when documentary filmmakers incorporate user-generated viral content, underscoring the need for clear guidelines around fair use and obtaining permissions when using copyrighted material.