Dallas Cheerleaders Secure Significant Wage Boost, Now Earning More Than Minimum Wage at Fast Food Jobs
"Let's talk about the NFL's glamorous cheering squad!"
That's right! NFL cheerleaders are the heartbeat of the games we all love, and they bring their A-game every single time. But, what about their compensation? Well, a new hit Netflix series, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, shines a spotlight on the hard work these ladies put in, and the lack of pay they receive in return.
The documentary, produced by Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley and the team behind Cheer and Last Chance U, dishes the deets on the daily lives of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, revealing their dedication, hustle, and behind-the-scenes drama.
So, how much do the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make?
Currently, they earn around $15-20 per hour, or approximately $500 per game. Annual earnings are estimated at $75,000, per NBC Sports Boston. However, for the 2025-2026 season, cheerleaders are expecting a "life-changing" 400% pay increase. That amounts to around $75 per hour according to the New York Times.
Veteran cheerleader Armani Latimer shared her emotions about the pay raise: "I get emotional knowing that I was a part of that. I love the fact that I made change for the girls that are coming up behind me, even if I'm not getting a chance to benefit."
And how does an average NFL cheerleader's pay compare?
On average, NFL cheerleaders bring in around $22,500 a year, according to ESPN. Cheerleaders also shell out their own cash for hair and cosmetic treatments to maintain their appearance.
Interestingly, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are actually on the higher end of the NFL cheerleader pay scale. "Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are on the highest end of that [NFL cheer] pay scale," Whiteley explained to Glamour. "I've heard horror stories of what a typical NFL cheerleader earns, but I think the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders fall into a new category."
Striving for better pay
In 2018, several NFL cheerleaders took legal action against 10 NFL teams for wage theft, harassment, and unfair working conditions or discrimination. One former cheerleader claimed she pocketed just $105 for an entire season after paying over $600 for her uniform. This sparked a conversation about the pay disparity between cheerleaders and other team staff, such as mascots (who can earn up to $65,000 per year) and first-round NFL draft picks ($12.1 to $39.5 million).
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders discussed the possibility of a walkout to raise awareness about their cause. "A walkout was something that we talked about, but at the end of the day, we knew we all wanted to be on that field," Jada explained to Us Weekly. "But still stand firm in what we believed in."
The sudden news of the pay raise has brought enthusiasm for the cheerleaders' future. Dallas Cowboys chief brand officer, Charlotte Jones, voiced her excitement: "That has been 60-plus years long overdue."
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is now streaming on Netflix. Break a leg, cheerleaders! You've earned it.
Intriguing Trivia:
- NFL cheerleaders' typical pay is a fraction of what first-round NFL draft picks receive.
- Canadian Football League (CFL) cheerleaders typically do not have regular salaries.
- The NFL's gender pay gap reflects wider disparities in women's sports leagues.
- The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, who bring a glamorous touch to sports events, earn around $15-20 per hour or approximately $500 per game, with annual earnings estimated at $75,000, according to NBC Sports Boston.
- On average, NFL cheerleaders make around $22,500 a year, and they also spend their own money on hair and cosmetic treatments to maintain their appearance.
- In comparison, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are on the higher end of the NFL cheerleader pay scale and, for the 2025-2026 season, they are expecting a "life-changing" 400% pay increase, which amounts to around $75 per hour.
