The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have achieved a substantial pay increase following their highly publicized wage dispute, which was featured in Netflix's docuseries America's Sweethearts. The third season of the show is now streaming, shedding light on the cheerleaders' fight for fair compensation.
Pay Details Before the Raise
Despite the Dallas Cowboys franchise being valued at over $10 billion (approximately £7.45 billion), cheerleaders previously earned between $15 and $20 (£11.18 to £14.90) per hour for practice and $500 (£372) per game. This resulted in an annual income of around $75,000 (£55,890). In stark contrast, rookie NFL players earned a minimum of $750,000 (£558,900) per year.
The Dispute and Negotiations
The pay dispute gained momentum during the 2024-25 season, with cheerleaders holding meetings and considering walkouts. Jada McLean, a key figure in securing the new deal, told TIME magazine: "We didn't want to let people down who were so excited to see the cheerleaders after supporting us through the first season of our television show."
The New Salary Structure
The squad eventually secured what was described as a "life-changing" 400% salary increase. Cheerleaders now earn approximately $75 (£55.89) per hour, and veteran cheerleaders can make around $150,000 (£111,770) annually. However, veteran Reece Weaver later clarified that the increase was "more like 300 percent," but maintained that the team is "so grateful with the outcome." She added: "It has been such an improvement and a very big increase [over] what we have seen in the past."
Remaining Challenges
While the new deal represents a significant victory, the position remains part-time and does not include health insurance benefits. The cheerleaders continue to advocate for additional improvements, but the pay raise marks a major step forward.
