{"id":141109,"date":"2025-06-19T02:03:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T02:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/141109\/"},"modified":"2025-06-19T02:03:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T02:03:14","slug":"dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-400-pay-rise-isnt-great-actually","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/141109\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 400% Pay Rise Isn’t Great, Actually"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders<\/a> are some of the most iconic and famed cheer athletes in the world, but when Netflix dropped their docu series last year, America\u2019s Sweethearts, their star rose astronomically.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest talking points of the season was undoubtedly the eye-watering amount they\u2019re said to be paid.<\/a><\/p>\n

Many of the show\u2019s 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.\u00a0In fact, in the first episode, DCC alum Kat compares her salary to that of \u201ca Chick-fil-A worker who works full time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, as season two of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders<\/a> docu series kicks off, it\u2019s revealed (spoiler alert) in episode seven, that the team are set to receive a pay rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,\u201d four-year veteran Megan McElaney said on the show. \u201cAnd we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"dallas<\/p>\n

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders\u2019 Pay Raise Equates To\u2026<\/p>\n

Four hundred per cent sounds like an eye-watering amount, but is it really enough in the broader scheme of things?<\/p>\n

The exact amount the cheerleaders were receiving as pay prior to the payrise has never been confirmed or revealed, but according to Sports Illustrated<\/a> 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 \u2013 an increase from $500 per performance to $2,500.<\/p>\n

The squad is also paid for rehearsals, promo appearances and shows, meaning annual (or season) income would likely exceed this amount.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an impressive jump, but let\u2019s put it into context. In 2024, the Dallas Cowboys lowest paid footballer was John Stephens Jr., the team\u2019s tight end, who, according to WFAA<\/a>, received an eye-watering $796,000.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s 960 per cent more than his fellow cheerleaders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DallasImage: Netflix<\/p>\n

Sure, they do two different jobs, but is the discrepancy fair given the huge profits of NFL teams like the Cowboys?<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more concerning about the pay increase is that DCC cheerleaders still aren\u2019t employed on a\u00a0 full-time basis, which in the U.S. can prove extremely detrimental given it means the team aren\u2019t provided with health cover \u2013 an extremely costly excess in the states.<\/p>\n

So while they\u2019ll 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!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Profile\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMaddison Hockey\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tDigital Editor\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

After studying a Bachelor of Journalism at The University of Wollongong and Fashion Business at FBI Fashion College, Maddison began her now decade-long career in the media industry. She\u2019s worked across print, digital and affiliates at some of Australia\u2019s biggest entertainment, lifestyle and fashion titles (ELLE, Marie Claire, The Australian Women\u2019s Weekly, Who, Girlfriend and more) covering the latest trends, cultural moments and celeb news.
\n
\nPreviously, she was the Senior Shopping Editor at Marie Claire and ELLE, where she combined her digital expertise and ability to scroll through endless online shopping sites without tire to help fashion-devotees like her find the perfect item.
\n
\nCurrently the Digital Editor of Marie Claire, her love for and expertise in e-commerce still sees her trying on countless pairs of jeans in the name of research, that is, when she\u2019s not covering the latest celeb news, dissecting runway trends or advocating on women\u2019s issues.<\/p>\n

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