Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Pay Raise
In a historic move that’s sending shockwaves through the NFL and the world of professional cheerleading, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) will receive a dramatic pay raise beginning this upcoming football season. The cheerleaders, long celebrated for their high-energy routines—most famously their electrifying performance to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”—will now earn $2,000 per game, a 400% increase from their previous pay of $400 per game.
The raise comes after years of growing public scrutiny, legal challenges, and a cultural reckoning over the treatment of cheerleaders in professional sports. The DCC, who have become synonymous with America’s Team and are arguably the most recognized cheerleading squad in the world, are finally being paid closer to what many feel their work and influence deserve.
America’s Sweethearts, Underpaid for Decades
Formed in 1972, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders redefined the role of cheerleaders in the NFL. Known for their precision dancing, high-kick lines, iconic uniforms, and relentless training regimen, they became the gold standard for professional cheer squads. But behind the glittering performances and national recognition was a more sobering reality: low pay, no union representation, and a grueling work schedule that rivaled that of professional athletes.
Until now, DCC members were paid $400 per game and just $12 per hour for rehearsals—an amount many described as insufficient given the physical demands, media obligations, and travel requirements. The squad is expected to maintain peak physical conditioning, attend near-daily rehearsals, participate in charity appearances, and represent the Cowboys brand at international events, often with minimal additional compensation.
While the cheerleaders serve as high-profile ambassadors for the franchise, frequently featured in television specials, calendars, and advertisements, their pay had remained stagnant for years—even as the Dallas Cowboys became the most valuable sports franchise in the world.
The Netflix Effect and Mounting Public Pressure
The turning point came with the 2024 Netflix docuseries “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” which offered an unprecedented look into the lives of the women behind the DCC brand. The series captured everything from the intense audition process and mental pressure to the financial strain of maintaining the image required to be a cheerleader at the highest level.
The show sparked nationwide conversation and outcry on social media, with fans, celebrities, and former DCC members calling for immediate changes to how the cheerleaders were treated—and paid.
“It’s hard to explain how much we put into this,” said one current cheerleader during an emotional moment in the series. “We love what we do. But love doesn’t pay the bills.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the team’s leadership reportedly took notice of the mounting pressure. According to sources, discussions about a pay raise began in earnest following the release of the show and intensified after a petition demanding higher wages reached hundreds of thousands of signatures.
The Thunderstruck Legacy: More Than Just a Performance
One of the most iconic DCC routines—and a fan favorite—is their high-octane performance to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” With synchronized formations, athletic choreography, and unrelenting energy, the routine has become an unofficial anthem of Cowboys home games and a symbol of the DCC’s brand of excellence.
The performance, often paired with elaborate lighting and crowd engagement, isn’t just entertainment—it’s a cultural moment. Fans travel from across the country to see it live, and videos of the routine routinely rack up millions of views online.
Yet for all the fanfare, the cheerleaders executing those routines were being paid less than some concession stand workers. That contrast made the call for fair compensation all the more urgent.
What the New Pay Includes
Starting this season, DCC members will earn $2,000 for every Cowboys game they perform at—both home and away. Additionally, reports suggest that the cheerleaders will now be compensated more fairly for the many hours spent in rehearsals, promotional appearances, and travel events.
Though the organization has not confirmed whether contracts will now include healthcare, benefits, or year-round stipends, insiders say more updates may be on the horizon as the Cowboys seek to modernize and professionalize how they manage one of their most visible assets.
The raise will not only benefit current cheerleaders but may also change the perception of professional cheerleading as a career. Former members and cheerleaders from other NFL teams are now calling for league-wide reform, pointing to the DCC as a model for change.
A New Standard for the NFL?
This pay increase could set a powerful precedent across the NFL and beyond. Several cheerleading squads have already faced lawsuits over wage theft, forced unpaid labor, and exploitation. Teams like the Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills have previously settled with former cheerleaders over unfair labor practices.
With the Cowboys—arguably the most high-profile franchise—taking a stand, there’s hope that other organizations will follow suit.
“There is absolutely no reason a woman performing on one of the biggest stages in sports should be making minimum wage—or less,” said a sports labor attorney who has represented former cheerleaders in legal battles. “The Cowboys just took a huge step forward. Now the rest of the league needs to catch up.”
Conclusion: Long Overdue Recognition
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are more than just entertainers on the sidelines. They’re cultural icons, ambassadors, athletes, and symbols of American sports pageantry. From their “Thunderstruck” performances that bring stadiums to life to their community outreach and media presence, the DCC have long earned their place in football history.
Now, for the first time in decades, they’re also being paid in a way that more closely reflects their value.
And while $2,000 per game is still modest in comparison to the multi-million dollar salaries of NFL players, it’s a monumental leap forward—and one that fans and cheerleaders alike hope signals the beginning of broader change across the league.
As the 2025 season approaches, one thing is clear: the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will take the field not just with unmatched spirit and performance, but with a new sense of respect—and justice.
