The iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have officially unionized, and after years of what often hovered around $8 to $15 an hour, their pay just got a massive upgrade. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association (DCCA) is now officially recognized by the Cowboys, ready to begin collective bargaining talks after years of back-and-forth about everything from paychecks to perks. This isn’t just about “America’s Sweethearts,” it’s about a huge shift that could change how every single NFL sideline operates.
Decades of Dollar Store Wages For America’s Sweethearts
It’s wild to think about, but the cheerleaders for one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world, a team known for turning NFL sidelines into highly produced entertainment, were making peanuts. We’re talking about pay rates that often bounced between $8 and $15 per hour, or just modest per-game stipends. Back in the 90s, they reportedly earned a measly $15 per game, a number that only crept up to $50 per game before 2000. Despite the Cowboys being a multi-billion-dollar organization, this historic underpayment led to litigation in the 2010s. Remember Erica Wilkins? She was a three-year veteran who filed a fair wage case back in 2018, with reports showing she only pulled in roughly $16,000 during her best-paying season. Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” really put this struggle on blast, showing their financial woes alongside their insane dedication. That documentary helped shine a national spotlight on the push for fairer pay, and man, did it work.
A 400% Pay Bump, And It’s Just The Beginning
That national spotlight paid off big time. The second season of the Netflix series actually wrapped with the massive news that the DCC were getting a 400 percent pay raise for the 2025 season. That means veteran cheerleaders are now looking at $75 an hour, a huge jump from about $15 an hour in the 2024 NFL season. The Cowboys themselves put out a press release, saying “The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are an esteemed part of the Cowboys organization, deeply respected for the talent and dedication they exhibit.” They also added that it remains one of the most sought-after opportunities for talented dancers globally. Now, with the DCCA acting as their collective bargaining representative, the two sides are set to begin negotiations. This isn’t just a win for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, it’s a seismic shift that could ripple across the entire NFL. What happens in their collective bargaining will set the tone for every sideline across the league. You bet other teams’ cheer squads are watching, and so are we.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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