Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Score Shocking 400% Pay Raise After Netflix Spotlight!

In the final episode of the second series, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders celebrate a victorious conclusion.

Towards the end of the upcoming season airing on June 18th of the Netflix documentary series, Megan, who has been with the team for four years, enthusiastically announces a substantial 400% raise in pay for the cheerleaders. Additionally, it’s revealed that they will receive higher compensation not only when cheering for the Dallas Cowboys but also for their external appearances.

In a delightful conclusion to a demanding year and a significant achievement in their struggle for equitable compensation, the dancers finally reach their goal. Over the course of seven episodes, the series delves into the process by which choreographers assemble a 36-member cheerleading squad for Dallas Cowboys games. Previous team members, known as “veterans,” are not automatically guaranteed a spot in the next season. They must reapply during a rigorous training camp, competing against newcomers or “rookies” who are trying out for the first time.

Speaking up for a higher salary increased the tension in the situation. Jada McLean, a five-year veteran who spearheaded wage talks after nearly losing her home, shared with TIME that the show’s presence significantly contributed to them receiving the pay raises. In both seasons of America’s Sweethearts, dancers discuss having to work numerous jobs to cover their expenses, despite the Cowboys being worth over $10 billion.

McLean expresses that seeing viewers openly discuss their concerns about the show, stating things like “This isn’t fair. I didn’t realize the girls were earning so little,” inspired them to voice their own opinions more strongly.

Tad Carper, the Cowboys’ senior vice president of communications, informed TIME via email that they are content, as you’ll notice in the series, because the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were satisfied with the end result.

In Season 2, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders presented their argument for a higher wage and successfully reached their goal, similar to scoring a touchdown at the end of the game.

Feeling deflated

In the show, specific wage details weren’t disclosed, and the Cowboys declined to provide them to TIME. However, NBC Boston reported in 2022 that Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders earned between $15 and $20 per hour, approximately $500 per game, and roughly $75,000 annually.

Additionally, there has been ongoing dissatisfaction concerning the remuneration of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. In 2018, a former cheerleader named Erica Wilkins filed a lawsuit which led to a settlement in 2019. As part of this settlement, the hourly wage rose from $8 an hour to $12 an hour, and game day wages increased from $200 to $400.

In the movie America’s Sweethearts, details about the cheerleaders’ contracts remain private, but the dismayed responses are evident through various casual remarks during the recent series. Some cheerleaders, like Armani, a five-year veteran, have a main job outside of cheerleading to cover their expenses, while others do not. Kleine, a four-year veteran, juggles four jobs when the Cowboys are in season.

In the series, Megan highlights that cheerleaders receive services such as hair styling and tanning as part of their role. However, she emphasizes, “Despite these perks, they don’t help me meet my financial obligations. I have student loans to repay, and car installments too.

In the middle of Season 2, during the fourth episode, is when the cheerleading team gathers for a discussion where they express concerns about their wages.

Jada expresses her frustration during breakfast with her fellow cheerleaders at the diner, saying something like “I’ve had enough of us all being in a tough financial spot.

“I would love to leave this place better than it was when we started,” Armani adds.

“Our legacy will be the money,” Jada says.

Team huddles

Last summer, McLean shared with TIME, the cheerleaders began seeking advice from relatives of alumni in the legal profession regarding potential courses of action. Subsequently, they held numerous discussions with the HR and legal teams of the Cowboys. While viewers will witness the cheerleaders conversing among themselves about the need for a wage boost, these meetings will not be filmed.

During a video conference with the team from “America’s Sweethearts,” a group of veterans shared that the talks they were involved in were advancing at a gradual pace.

During that gathering, Amanda’s emotions ran high. She was nearly moved to tears because their words about them struck her deeply and left her feeling quite sorrowful.

She maintains her stance on the issue, asserting that the Netflix series has provided them with an opportune moment for action: “Given that we’re currently in the spotlight, this seems like the perfect time to make a difference.

She also motivates her teammates to think about skipping a practice and organizing a walkout. A few of them have discussed the possibility of permanently leaving the team altogether.

Instead of carrying out a walkout or strike, McLean clarified to TIME that the cheerleaders decided against it because they didn’t want to disappoint their fans. They felt it was important not to let down those who had eagerly awaited seeing the cheerleaders after supporting them throughout the first season of their TV show.

In the performance, Judy Trammell, the cheerleading choreographer, expresses, “An exit would definitely unsettle me, yet I recognize that individuals need to stand up for specific issues in order to bring about change, and I get that.

The cheerleaders persistently gathered for discussions about the fairness of their wages. During a scheduled review meeting with Trammell and Kelli Finglass, team director, Amanda voices her thoughts. “I truly wish that at some point we could increase the pay for our team,” she says. “These girls put in an immense amount of effort, and I believe many would give up their regular jobs to be Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Trammell counters by asking: “However, isn’t it the very fact that you all have given up your full-time jobs that makes you remarkable?

Speaking with TIME magazine, McLean addressed that comment by saying: “It’s tough to juggle two, three, or even four jobs and excel at them all. It becomes challenging to be exceptional in one area when you are stretched too thin, focusing on multiple tasks instead of dedicating your full effort to just one.

Coaching tips

Despite advocating for a pay increase for her colleagues, McLean won’t be rejoining the Dallas Cowboys next season as she mentioned the heavy workload and a preference for a more adaptable timetable as reasons for her departure.

When questioned about the most important life lessons she’s gleaned from being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, she steered the discussion towards the importance of equal compensation.

She aspires that their struggle for equal compensation encourages other women to voice their concerns in their respective workplaces. She expresses, “Ultimately, one can never predict the outcome, but it could potentially bring about advantages not just for you, but also for those who will follow in your footsteps.

She expresses her hope that the Netflix series will help people understand and value the significant effort involved in cheerleading more deeply. As she puts it, “We’re not just about waving pom-poms on stage; we’re real athletes, and our success extends beyond the uniform.

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2025-06-18 11:06