Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersDallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, often seen as the gold standard in professional cheerleading, just got a game-changing pay raise. After years of spotlighting their talent on the field and across social media, the team finally sees a financial boost that many are calling long overdue.

In the second season of Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” former member Jada McLean shared the big news. “Happy isn’t even the right word for it,” she said on the show, as reported by the Associated Press. “I think I was just . . kind of felt, like, a relief, like everything had paid off. And it was, you know, finally, we were done fighting.”

Her words speak volumes about the emotional weight behind the win.

Payday Finally Matches Prestige

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform (Photo By Chris Jones-Imagn Images)

The Cowboys cheerleaders will now earn more than $1,000 per game, marking a 400 percent increase from their previous $400-per-game rate. Veteran cheerleader Megan McElaney didn’t hold back when talking about the raise. “Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,” she said. “And we ended up getting a 400 percent increase, which is like, life-changing.”

This increase comes after years of criticism aimed at the Cowboys organization over the team’s low pay scale for its cheerleaders. The Netflix show’s first season shined a spotlight on their earnings, sparking widespread debate over how such a globally recognized squad could be earning so little.

In 2019, the Cowboys settled a lawsuit that raised game-day pay from $200 to $400. The cheerleaders also received compensation for public appearances, but those earnings still didn’t reflect their visibility or the physical demands of the job. That gap now appears to be narrowing.

The Cowboys, one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises, seem to have taken the criticism to heart. With this raise, the organization signals a shift toward acknowledging the hard work and brand power of the cheer squad.

Dallas kicks off the 2025 NFL season against the Eagles on the road. But the cheerleaders scored the offseason’s biggest win. Their new pay structure reflects years of dedication, skill, and professionalism. It rewards the athleticism and effort they consistently bring. More than money, it’s long-overdue recognition. Their commitment has finally received the value it deserves