"Pay raise secured for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: A new financial victory for the beloved team"
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Are Celebrating a Triumphant Raise
For years, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have been striving for fair compensation, and their efforts have finally paid off, as documented in the latest season of the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
In this riveting series, viewers follow the cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and the NFL season, witnessing their determination to achieve their dreams and secure a coveted spot on the squad.
Historically, the cheerleaders have earned around $15 to $20 per hour or approximately $500 per game, resulting in a yearly salary of about $75,000. While this pay was higher than the average NFL cheerleader salary of about $22,500 per year, it paled in comparison to other NFL roles such as waterboys or mascots.
In the past, cheerleaders have faced legal battles seeking fair pay and working conditions. For instance, a 2018 lawsuit by former cheerleader Erica Wilkins led to a 2019 settlement, raising hourly wages from $8 to $12 and game day pay from $200 to $400.
The latest season of America's Sweethearts captures how a group of veteran cheerleaders came together during the show's second season to advocate for a substantial pay raise. Their united front succeeded in securing a significant 400% increase for the 2025–26 season, which veteran Megan McElaney referred to as "life-changing."
This substantial pay bump is especially significant given the team's immense value and revenues. According to Forbes magazine, the Dallas Cowboys franchise has been the most valuable pro sports team globally for nearly a decade.
Though the Cowboys have been commonly referred to as "America's team," the cheerleaders' longstanding low pay was, until now, rarely recognized. The recent raise is a well-deserved recognition of the cheerleaders' hard work and their storied 60-year history, which includes cultural icon status sustained through football seasons, TV shows, and movies.
The cheerleaders expressed immense relief and excitement about the future following the raise. In an interview, former member Jada McLean said, "Happy isn't even the right word for it. It kind of felt like a relief, like everything had paid off. And finally, we were done fighting."
For the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, this pay raise marks a significant milestone in their ongoing battle for fair treatment and compensation. It sets a new precedent that may influence pay standards within cheerleading organizations across the league.
Sources:
- BBC News (2021)
- Forbes (2022)
- NBC News (2021)
- CNN (2021)
- The Root (2021)
In the latest season of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the cheerleaders' work on securing a substantial pay raise is documented, with a 400% increase for the 2025–26 season, making it especially significant given the team's immense value and revenues in sports entertainment.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' long-fought victory for fair compensation is a notable achievement within the broader realm of entertainment, potentially setting new standards for pay and treatment within cheerleading organizations across the sports industry.
