If you’ve ever watched the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) sprint onto the turf at AT&T Stadium, you probably assumed they were making bank. I mean, they are basically the face of the NFL’s most valuable franchise. For decades, the reality was actually pretty grim. We’re talking "working at Chick-fil-A" levels of pay for a job that requires elite athleticism and the schedule of a CEO.
But things just changed. Big time.
The news of a massive Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders pay raise has been swirling since season two of the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts hit screens. It wasn’t just some corporate adjustment. It was a fight. Veterans like Jada McLean and Megan McElaney basically put their spots on the line to demand that the numbers finally made sense. Honestly, it's about time. When you realize the team mascot was reportedly out-earning the dancers for years, the "honor of the uniform" excuse starts to feel a bit thin.
The 400% Jump: Breaking Down the New Reality
Let’s talk numbers because that’s what everyone is Googling. The headline figure is a 400% increase. That sounds like a lot—and it is—but you have to look at how low the floor was to understand why this was so necessary.
Before this shift, most girls were pulling in about $15 to $20 an hour for rehearsals and maybe $500 for a game day. If you do the math on an 11-hour game day shift, that’s not exactly "wealthy" territory. Now, veteran cheerleaders are reportedly making upwards of **$75 per hour**.
Some insiders and reports from The New York Times suggest that with the new structure, a seasoned cheerleader could potentially earn between $75,000 and $150,000 annually. That is a massive swing. It moves the role from a "side hustle that costs you money" to a legitimate, professional career.
Where the money comes from now:
- Hourly Practice Pay: Jumped from roughly $15 to a rumored $75 for vets.
- Game Day Fees: Some reports indicate game day pay has spiked from $500 to nearly $2,000 per game.
- Appearances: This is where the real money lives. The flat fees for corporate events and calendar shoots have been restructured to favor the dancers' time.
It’s worth noting that while the 400% figure is the one everyone’s quoting, some current members, like Reece Weaver, have mentioned on podcasts that it might be closer to a 300% total restructure depending on the individual's tenure. Either way, it’s life-changing money for women who used to have to work 9-to-5 office jobs and then rehearse until midnight.
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Why Did Jerry Jones Finally Budge?
The Cowboys franchise is valued at over $10 billion. Billion. With a "B." So why now?
Honestly, it was a perfect storm of bad PR and cultural shifts. The first season of the Netflix show pulled back the curtain on the "dearth of payment," as director Greg Whiteley put it. People were genuinely shocked to see world-class performers crying over car notes.
Then you had the legal pressure. This wasn't the first time pay came up. Back in 2018, former cheerleader Erica Wilkins sued the team, revealing she made about $8,000 in a year while the mascot, Rowdy, was making $65,000. That lawsuit was a catalyst. It started a slow burn of internal conversations that eventually led to the veterans banding together before the 2025 season.
There was a moment—kind of a legendary one now—where the girls considered a strike. They almost didn't sign their contracts. Imagine an NFL home opener with no DCC. The optics would have been a disaster for the Jones family.
The "Part-Time" Loophole That Still Exists
Here is the part that still kind of stings. Even with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders pay raise, these women are still classified as part-time employees.
What does that actually mean? No health insurance.
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In a job where you are doing "thunderstruck" jumps and landing in full splits on hard turf, the lack of medical coverage is a major sticking point. If a dancer tears her ACL—a very real risk—she’s often navigating that recovery without the same robust support system a backup punter would get.
It's a weird paradox. They are now potentially the highest-paid cheerleaders in the world, but they are still fighting for the basic benefits that a standard corporate employee at the Cowboys' headquarters takes for granted.
How This Changes the Rest of the NFL
The "Cowboys Way" usually sets the trend for the rest of the league. If Dallas is paying $75 an hour, it becomes a lot harder for the Eagles or the Giants to keep their dancers at $15.
We are already seeing a ripple effect. Experts like Daniel Kelly II from NYU have noted that this raise effectively resets the market. It’s no longer just about "the experience." It’s about labor value. For a long time, teams relied on the fact that thousands of girls would do this job for free just to say they did it. That leverage is disappearing as the conversation around women’s sports and fair pay gets louder.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pay
A common misconception is that the Netflix show pays the cheerleaders directly. It doesn't. Netflix pays the Cowboys for the right to film, and the Cowboys pay the cheerleaders.
Also, people think the "year-round" salary is guaranteed. It’s not. It is still very much a "pay for play" system. If you get injured or cut during training camp, the money stops. The pressure to maintain the "look"—the hair, the tan, the fitness—is still an out-of-pocket expense for many, though the team does provide some sponsorships for things like Botox and hair styling now.
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Real-World Impact for the Squad
For the rookies coming in now, the world looks very different than it did for the legends of the 90s or even five years ago.
- Financial Independence: Dancers can actually afford to live in Dallas (which isn't cheap) without three roommates.
- Longevity: If the pay is better, veterans might stay for five or six years instead of burning out after two because they’re exhausted from working multiple jobs.
- Professionalism: It shifts the power dynamic. When you’re being paid six figures, you’re a partner in the brand, not just a decoration.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you’re following this story or wondering what’s next for the DCC and professional cheerleading, here is what to keep an eye on:
Monitor the Benefit Fight
The next "big one" isn't the hourly rate—it's the status. Watch for news regarding "full-time" employment status. If the DCC successfully lobby for health insurance, it will be a historic win for the industry.
Check Other NFL Squads
Keep an eye on the labor reports for teams like the Buffalo Jills (who famously dissolved over pay disputes) or the Baltimore Marching Ravens. The Dallas raise has given every other squad in the league the "comp" they need to ask for more.
The "Netflix Effect" on Recruitment
Expect the 2026 auditions to be the most competitive in history. With the pay raise and the global fame from the show, the talent pool is going to be insane. This might actually make the job harder to get, even if it's better once you're there.
The era of the "starving artist" cheerleader is ending in Dallas. It took a lawsuit, a Netflix crew, and a lot of guts from the women in the locker room, but the star on their chest finally has a price tag that matches its value.
Next Steps: You can dive deeper into the specific 2018 Erica Wilkins lawsuit documents to see the original pay disparities, or watch the Season 2 finale of America's Sweethearts to see the moment the squad was officially notified of the increase.