Give me….an A! And provides them a greater pay! NFL cheerleaders are a staple at any time when it involves soccer video games. With flips, tips, and workforce spirit, they do their job fairly effortlessly, however they’re getting little compensation for the quantity of labor they do.
The query of pay comes after seeing what work goes right into a typical efficiency after a brand new hit Netflix collection got here out. The every day lives of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are highlighted in America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and the second season sees a considerable distinction in pay.
The viral docuseries comes from Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley and the workforce behind Cheer and Final Likelihood U. Led by longtime director Kelli Finglass, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders open their doorways to doc the private tales behind the uniforms – revealing the drive, hustle, and drama among the many cheerleaders and coaches. The collection focuses on the lengthy days and nights that every cheerleader goes by way of—and the additional work that goes into sustaining their ardour.
How a lot do Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make?
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders at present earn about $15-20 per hour, or $500 per recreation. In yearly wage, it’s estimated at $75,000, per NBC Sports activities Boston. Nevertheless for the 2025-2026 season, the cheerleaders expect a “life-changing” 400% pay enhance, as revealed within the seventh episode of Season 2. That’s about $75 per hour in line with the New York Occasions.
“We pushed and we obtained again good outcomes,” veteran Armani Latimer mentioned. “I get emotional understanding that I used to be part of that. I like the truth that I made change for the ladies which are developing behind me, even when I’m not getting an opportunity to profit.”
How a lot does a mean NFL cheerleader make?
A median NFL cheerleader makes round $22,500 a 12 months in line with ESPN. The outlet reported that cheerleaders earn roughly $75 to $150 per recreation. Cheerleaders are additionally anticipated to repairs their look and often spend their cash out of pocket on hair and beauty remedies.
Whereas the preliminary wage doesn’t sound like quite a bit, these cheerleaders are literally being paid greater than the common NFL cheerleader. “Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are on the very best finish of that [NFL cheer] pay scale,” Whiteley informed Glamour. I’ve heard horror tales of what a typical NFL cheerleader [makes], however I believe the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders fall into a brand new class. None of them are wealthy. None of them are getting paid a ton, however it isn’t the identical dearth of cost that I believe different NFL cheerleaders must expertise.”
DCC veteran Kat Puryear in contrast her pay to different jobs. “I might say I’m making like…a substitute instructor,” she says. “I might say I’m making [as much money as] like a Chick-fil-A employee who works full time.” Among the cheerleaders produce other major jobs to meet their pay. First group chief Kelcey Wetterberg is a pediatric registered nurse, whereas rookie Reece Allman will get a gig in a flower store.
How did the NFL Cheerleaders combat for higher pay?
A number of NFL cheerleaders sued 10 of the NFL’s 32 groups for wage theft, harassment, unsafe working circumstances or discrimination, in line with The Guardian. One former “Buffalo Jill” cheerleader who claimed she pocketed simply $105 for a whole season after paying over $600 for her uniform. Compared, a mascot can earn as much as $65,000 in a 12 months and a first-round choose within the NFL draft will get paid between $12.1 million and $39.5 million.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders talked to Us Weekly in regards to the potential of strolling out in solidarity to make their trigger recognized. “A walkout was one thing that we talked about, however on the finish of the day, we knew all of us needed to be on that area and as onerous because it was to resolve what the best selection was to do, we simply determined we had been gonna cheer,” Jada mentioned. “However nonetheless stand agency in what we believed in. And on the finish of season 2, there’s a decision that’s optimistic for us. We did the best factor, although within the second we had been very not sure if we had been making the best choices or if this was gonna backfire.”
The sudden information of the pay elevate has sparked hope for the way forward for cheerleaders. “You guys have moved some mountains this 12 months that can perpetually change our group, and hopefully, dancers’ organizations internationally,” Dallas Cowboys chief model officer Charlotte Jones mentioned. “It’s simply superb, as a result of that has been 60-plus years lengthy overdue.”
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is now accessible to stream on Netflix.
