The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) are renowned for their prestigious role within the NFL, but the compensation they receive often falls short of expectations. DCC member Kat Puryear described their salaries during the first season of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as comparable to that of a substitute teacher or a Chick-fil-A worker, highlighting the financial challenges many of the cheerleaders face. To support themselves, numerous cheerleaders must seek additional employment, with some like Chandi Dayle juggling multiple side jobs. This financial reality prompts discussions about the disparity between cheerleaders’ earnings and those of the players, who enjoy much higher salaries and better benefits.
Diving into specifics, former DCC member Kristin Westbrook shared her compensation experience from 2019 to 2022, detailing an hourly wage of $15 for practices coupled with a fixed $400 fee for each game. Similarly, Jada McLean noted during the 2024-2025 season that her earnings reflected a base hourly rate of $15 alongside a $500 game fee. These figures illustrate the limited financial rewards despite the demanding nature of the job and the skill involved in their performances.
Adding to their financial struggles, the Cowboys classify cheerleaders as part-time employees, resulting in a lack of full-time benefits, such as health insurance. While they do have access to a team doctor and physical therapy resources, the disparity between cheerleaders and NFL players becomes evident. Cheerleaders must often maintain multiple jobs as necessary adjuncts to their DCC role. Reece Weaver expressed gratitude for being compensated, acknowledging the ongoing debates surrounding their pay while emphasizing the value of the DCC experience, despite the lucrative earnings football players enjoy.
The financial inequities faced by DCC members were starkly illustrated when Erica Wilkins filed a lawsuit against the Cowboys in 2018, claiming her hourly wage totaled around $7, which she argued was less than what the team mascot earned. The lawsuit was settled in 2019 but highlighted the potential for exploitation within the cheerleading ranks. More recently, Jada McLean and fellow cheerleaders successfully advocated for a 400% pay increase, which reflects their commitment to improving financial stability for their peers.
This effort for better compensation was not merely about individual gains but was framed as a broader initiative to alleviate financial burdens for all DCC members. Jada underscored the positive impact this change would have on current and future cheerleaders, expressing the desire to remove financial stress that had previously afflicted the squad. The response to the cheerleaders’ demands suggests an evolving understanding within the organization of the need to adjust compensation structures to reflect the significant commitment and talent required of cheerleaders.
Kelli Finglass, the DCC’s longtime director, refrained from direct involvement in the salary negotiations but acknowledged the cheerful momentum of the team amidst evolving discussions on pay. Her focus remained on maintaining the team’s performance and reputation. Finglass’s comments, coupled with the cheerleaders’ achievements in advocating for better pay, point toward a potential cultural shift within professional cheerleading, fostering an environment where the voices of cheerleaders are recognized and valued within the broader narrative of professional sports.
