After years of tireless advocacy and public scrutiny, the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have finally secured a staggering 400% raise in their compensation for the 2025 season. This monumental pay increase, revealed in the latest season of the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing fight for fair wages within the world of professional cheerleading.
The announcement came during the second season of the popular Netflix series, which dropped on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The show has shone a spotlight on the cheerleaders’ demanding schedules and financial struggles, capturing the attention of viewers nationwide and sparking important conversations about pay equity in sports.
Jada McLean, a five-year veteran of the squad, described the raise as "life-changing" in the episode. She disclosed that before the increase, she earned $15 an hour and $500 per appearance in 2024. With the new raise, veteran cheerleaders like her could be making upwards of $75 an hour, a figure that finally begins to reflect the skill, dedication, and time commitment these athletes invest.
This substantial pay hike is the culmination of years of persistent efforts by former and current cheerleaders who have tirelessly pushed for change. The struggle for fair compensation has been well documented, with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders—and NFL cheerleaders more broadly—facing criticism for low wages, long working hours, and troubling allegations including wage theft and harassment.
Back in 2018, former cheerleader Erica Wilkins brought a lawsuit against the Dallas Cowboys organization, highlighting the stark pay disparities. She revealed that at the time, cheerleaders were earning as little as $7 to $8 an hour, while the team’s male mascot was paid $25 an hour. Wilkins emphasized the inequity, stating, "The prestige, that's great, but at the end of the day, that prestige doesn't pay the bills or pay the rent, and we have to be paid livable wages… We are considered part-time employees… but, the time requirements that they expect from us is full-time. The late-night practices that run until 2:00 to 3:00 in the morning. Those things add up, and we deserve to be compensated for the hours that we put in." The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2019, but meaningful wage increases remained elusive for several years.
The Netflix docuseries has played a pivotal role in elevating the cheerleaders’ voices and exposing their financial challenges to a wider audience. The show documented how many squad members had to juggle full-time jobs alongside their rigorous cheerleading commitments, which include multiple weekly rehearsals, participation in at least 10 home games per season, halftime performances, and numerous special appearances. Despite these demands, the cheerleaders did not receive health insurance benefits through the team, though they had access to a team doctor and physical therapist.
Kylie Dickson, a cheerleader featured on the show, expressed the frustration many felt upon receiving their contracts. "We got our contracts and probably wrongly assumed that it maybe would have been different, just because of everything that was on TV," she said. "The world was kind of telling us, 'Girls, fight for more.'" This sentiment encapsulates the broader movement among women in sports pushing back against systemic undervaluation.
Moreover, Megan McElaney, a four-year member of the squad, revealed that the team’s director, Kelli Finglass, convened a meeting with the cheerleaders to discuss their pay, signaling an internal acknowledgment of the need for change. The 400% raise represents not just a financial boost but a symbolic victory for the cheerleaders’ perseverance and advocacy.
While the precise figures of the new salaries have not been officially disclosed, the leap from $15 an hour to upwards of $75 an hour for veterans is a game-changer. It brings their earnings closer to what might be expected for athletes and performers of their caliber, though many argue it still falls short of full equity.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are more than just entertainers on the sidelines; they are ambassadors for their team and role models for fans across the country. Their performances require athleticism, precision, and stamina, all while maintaining a polished public image. This pay raise acknowledges their professional status and the value they bring to the NFL franchise and its fanbase.
As the cheerleaders celebrate this victory, their story resonates beyond the stadium. It reflects a broader cultural shift toward recognizing and rectifying pay disparities in sports and entertainment, especially for women. The raise also sets a precedent that could inspire other NFL teams and sports organizations to reevaluate how they compensate their cheerleading squads.
In a world where many athletes and performers continue to fight for fair treatment and livable wages, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ 400% pay increase stands as a beacon of progress. It’s a reminder that persistence, solidarity, and public awareness can drive meaningful change—even in arenas long resistant to it.
So, as the Cowboys take the field this season, their cheerleaders will do so with a renewed sense of dignity and financial respect, kicking higher not just in spirit but in paychecks as well.
