The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have long been iconic symbols of American football culture, their glittering performances a staple on game days and beyond. But for years, their pay didn’t reflect the grueling demands of their role — until now. In a groundbreaking development, the cheerleaders secured a staggering 400% pay raise for the 2025 season, a victory that has been celebrated as life-changing by the team.
This significant pay increase was revealed in episode 7, titled "Saturn Returns," of the second season of the Netflix docuseries "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders," which began streaming on June 18, 2025. Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran of the squad, shared with viewers, "Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise. And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing." Fellow cheerleader Armani Latimer added, "We pushed, and we got back good results," while former cheerleader Jada McLean described the moment as a profound relief, saying, "'Happy' isn't even the right word for it. I think I was just... kind of felt, like, a relief -- like everything had paid off. And it was, you know, finally, we were done fighting." The Dallas Cowboys organization confirmed their satisfaction with the outcome, telling NBC News, "We're pleased, as you'll see in the series, that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were happy with the outcome."
To understand why this raise is so monumental, it helps to look back at the history and context of cheerleader compensation. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) originated in the 1970s as a part-time gig, where members practiced a few times a week and performed on Sundays. Fast forward to today, and the role has transformed dramatically. The cheerleaders now work 30 to 40 hours a week for much of the year, juggling multiple appearances beyond games, including corporate shows, press events, and major public performances like the Cowboys Christmas Spectacular, the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and even high-profile boxing matches such as Mike Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul in Las Vegas.
A Vogue reporter embedded with the squad during a game day in November 2024 documented the intense physical demands placed on the cheerleaders. The team worked for more than 12 hours straight, performing routines like "Thunderstruck," which involves a 50-yard sprint in under eight seconds — all while wearing cowboy boots — and chorus-line jump splits. By the end of the night, many cheerleaders were exhausted, covered in blisters, and required treatment from trainers for muscle ailments and ankle wraps. Despite this, they had no health insurance and often had to maintain other full-time jobs to support themselves.
Before the recent raise, pay was shockingly low considering the workload. Former cheerleader Kat Puryear, who left the team in 2022, likened their compensation to that of "a substitute teacher" or a full-time "Chick-fil-A worker." She explained in a TikTok video that cheerleaders received a flat fee per game and hourly rates for practices and public appearances, with seniority affecting the exact amounts. In 2022, reports indicated the DCC earned about $15 to $20 per hour, with game and appearance fees bringing total annual earnings to around $75,000. This was a marked improvement from the $200 per game pay reported in 2018, which stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former cheerleader Erica Wilkins. Wilkins alleged she worked over 40 hours a week for less than minimum wage, and that the team’s mascot earned more than the cheerleaders. The lawsuit was settled in 2019, resulting in the doubling of game-day pay from $200 to $400.
Yet, despite these incremental gains, many cheerleaders continued to struggle financially. The Netflix docuseries' second season chronicles how a group of veteran members led by Jada McLean united to push for fairer wages. They consulted legal experts, met with Cowboys management, and even considered a contract holdout to press their demands. The path was fraught with tension, but ultimately, their perseverance paid off.
The Cowboys franchise itself is a juggernaut in the sports world, valued at $11 billion in 2024 according to Forbes — $3 billion more than any other NFL team. This immense wealth contrasts sharply with the cheerleaders’ previous pay scale, making the 400% raise a long-overdue adjustment. The team’s chief brand officer, Charlotte Jones, daughter of owner Jerry Jones, acknowledged in Season 1 of the docuseries that while cheerleaders didn’t initially come for the money, their passion for dance and sisterhood was paramount. However, as the role evolved into a full-time commitment, so too did the need for livable wages.
Beyond the pay, the cheerleaders receive various perks such as meal prep services, gym memberships, and beauty treatments, but these benefits never fully compensated for the financial challenges they faced. The raise announced in June 2025 reportedly brings their hourly wages to around $75, a figure that reflects their athleticism, dedication, and the value they bring to the franchise.
The journey to this milestone has not been without controversy. In 2016, the Cowboys settled a $2.4 million claim with four cheerleaders who alleged that a longtime public relations chief, Rich Dalrymple, secretly filmed them in the dressing room. Dalrymple denied wrongdoing and retired before the settlement became public in 2022. Additionally, in 2017, an antitrust lawsuit was filed against more than 20 NFL organizations, alleging a conspiracy to keep cheerleader wages artificially low. That suit was dismissed, but it highlighted the broader systemic issues NFL cheerleaders face.
Today, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders stand as a powerful example of how athletes and performers can assert their worth and secure fair compensation. Their story, showcased in "America's Sweethearts," offers a rare glimpse into the challenges and triumphs behind the glittering facade. As Armani Latimer put it, "I love the fact that I made change for the girls that are coming up behind me even if I’m not getting the chance to benefit." Megan McElaney echoed the sentiment, saying, "Dancers are athletes. They have so much value. That’s all I could ever want. So I’m excited to come back." Their victory is not just about money — it’s about respect, recognition, and rewriting the rules of what it means to be a professional cheerleader in the 21st century.
