The Fight for Fair Pay: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Speak Out

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, often called “America’s Sweethearts,” are one of the most famous cheerleading teams in the world. They perform at football games, appear on TV, and represent the team at events. Even though they work for one of the richest NFL teams, they have been paid very little for a long time. A new Netflix show is finally shining a light on this unfair treatment and helping the cheerleaders get the pay they deserve.

For many years, the cheerleaders earned very low wages. In the 1970s, they were paid just $15 for each game. In recent years, they made about $400 per game and only $15 an hour for practice, even though they practiced 20 to 30 hours every week. Former cheerleader Candice Estfan said, “I think my game-day fee was $35, and we basically donated that back.” Some cheerleaders even had to get second jobs to be able to keep cheering. Even though they performed in front of huge crowds and worked hard to stay in shape, they were treated like they didn’t matter.

Besides being underpaid, the cheerleaders had to follow a lot of strict rules. They had to wear certain outfits, stay a certain weight, and always act the way the team wanted. If they broke the rules, they could be kicked off the team. Some former cheerleaders said it was hard to deal with the pressure. They had weekly weigh-ins, and gaining a few pounds could cost them their spot. Kelli Finglass, the director of the team, said in the Netflix show, “We have high standards, and not everyone is cut out for this.” These rules made the cheerleaders feel like they could be replaced at any moment, no matter how hard they worked.

Things started to change after the Netflix show America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders came out. The show gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how much time and effort the cheerleaders put in. After watching the series, many people said they were surprised by how unfair the pay was. Because of all the attention, the Cowboys decided to raise the cheerleaders’ pay. Now, they earn $625 for each game and $75 per hour for practice. Even though the team owner, Jerry Jones, didn’t say much about why they raised the pay, many believe the show made a big difference. One former cheerleader said the show “opened a lot of eyes” and proved what they had been saying for years.

The cheerleaders’ fight for fair pay is part of a bigger issue. Many women in sports and entertainment don’t get paid fairly or treated with respect. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are more than just dancers; they are athletes, performers, and role models. For a long time, they were not paid what they were worth. The recent pay raise is a big step forward, but there is still more work to do. Other teams should follow the Cowboys’ lead and give their cheerleaders better pay and fair treatment. Women in sports deserve to be respected for their skills, not just for how they look.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/style/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-salary-americas-sweethearts.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-pay-increase/

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40344810/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-pay-raise-after-netflix-show

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-say-new-netflix-series-finally-tells-story-rcna157389

https://time.com/6995472/dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-netflix/