The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are some of the most iconic and famed cheer athletes in the world, but when Netflix dropped their docu series last year, America’s Sweethearts, their star rose astronomically.
One of the biggest talking points of the season was undoubtedly the eye-watering amount they’re said to be paid.
Many of the show’s stars were shown lamenting over having to work part-time and full-time outside of the already gruelling Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading training and game schedule. In fact, in the first episode, DCC alum Kat compares her salary to that of “a Chick-fil-A worker who works full time.”
Now, as season two of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders docu series kicks off, it’s revealed (spoiler alert) in episode seven, that the team are set to receive a pay rise.
“Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,” four-year veteran Megan McElaney said on the show. “And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing.”
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Pay Raise Equates To…
Four hundred per cent sounds like an eye-watering amount, but is it really enough in the broader scheme of things?
The exact amount the cheerleaders were receiving as pay prior to the payrise has never been confirmed or revealed, but according to Sports Illustrated it amounted, roughly, to $15,000 (US $10,000) for one season for performances. With a 400 percent increase this would see the women paid up to $75,000 AUD per year for performances alone – an increase from $500 per performance to $2,500.
The squad is also paid for rehearsals, promo appearances and shows, meaning annual (or season) income would likely exceed this amount.
It’s an impressive jump, but let’s put it into context. In 2024, the Dallas Cowboys lowest paid footballer was John Stephens Jr., the team’s tight end, who, according to WFAA, received an eye-watering $796,000.
That’s 960 per cent more than his fellow cheerleaders.
Image: Netflix
Sure, they do two different jobs, but is the discrepancy fair given the huge profits of NFL teams like the Cowboys?
What’s more concerning about the pay increase is that DCC cheerleaders still aren’t employed on a full-time basis, which in the U.S. can prove extremely detrimental given it means the team aren’t provided with health cover – an extremely costly excess in the states.
So while they’ll have to pay out of pocket for essential services like doctors and physios, DCC director Kelli Finglass does remind us they get free spray tans, hair extensions and botox!
Digital Editor
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