Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get “Drastic” Pay Raise

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The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader salary is leaping to new heights.

During the second season of the Netflix show “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” it was disclosed that the squad members are expected to receive a significant pay increase of approximately 400% before the 2025 NFL season, as reported by The New York Times.

In the latest episode of the show, specific wage increases for the squad members haven’t been disclosed. However, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Jada McLean, characterized the raise as a “significant shift” in an interview, suggesting it could bolster their financial stability.

In a conversation with the New York Times, McLean shared that during her fifth year with the team in 2024, she earned $15 an hour and received $500 for each appearance. She pointed out that the compensation was based on individual experience. With the recent updates, according to McLean, veterans on the squad could potentially earn as much as $75 per hour.

As per NBC Sports Boston’s report from 2022, NFL cheerleaders usually took home around $150 per game, which translates to an average annual salary of approximately $22,500. Interestingly, it was disclosed that yearly salaries for waterboys in the NFL were roughly $53,000, while mascots earned about $25,000.

Many players on National Football League teams frequently hold additional jobs outside their sports career, as portrayed in the first season of America’s Sweethearts. This fact was quite eye-opening, even to the show’s producer and director, Greg Whiteley, who were not expecting it.

In an interview with The New York Times, he commented that, like many others, he had initially believed it to be a full-time position. He added, “I would have imagined, ‘Wow, you’re a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, so you must earn six figures and live in a luxurious home.’

In the second season of the show, the Dallas team was disheartened when they didn’t get a salary increase for the 2024-25 term initially.

Kylie Dickson expressed to the cameras, as reported by People, that we had mistakenly believed our contracts might have been different due to what we saw on TV. She added, “The world seemed to be urging us, ‘Women, strive for more!’

As the 2025-26 season approaches, the team’s situation regarding pay increases presents a new narrative. Cheerleader Megan McElaney shared on camera that these raises are potentially “transformative” for their lives.

In a statement, fifth-year team member Armani Latimer shared, “We put in the effort and saw positive outcomes. It fills me with emotion to be a part of this. I’m thrilled that I’ve made a difference for the younger players who will follow me, even if it’s not directly for my own gain.

For more about the Dallas Cowboys cheer squad, keep reading.

According to former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Caroline Sundvold, who starred alongside her younger sister Anna Kate Sundvold in the first season of Netflix’s docuseries “American Sweethearts,” the iconic jump splits of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading squad can be quite demanding.

Caroline revealed in the show that a doctor advised her to undergo surgery due to years of damaging her joints beyond repair. However, as she expressed, “A hip operation like that requires three to six months of recovery time. Yet, I was determined to continue cheerleading for one more year.” She chose to persevere despite the challenges.

After completing her fifth season, Caroline pointed out that the procedure she’d been waiting for was absolutely worth the wait. However, an unexpectedly harrowing foot surgery followed, taking a toll on her.

Caroline remarked, “I assumed hip surgery wouldn’t be this tough, but my foot is packed with so many nerves. Consequently, from the [end-of-season] banquet until now, I’ve mainly been focusing on recovery, which has served as quite an unexpected reminder.

None of which deterred Anna, who after making the 2023 squad was back on the roster for 2024.

Standout personality Madeline Salter, affectionately known as America’s Sweetheart, returned to support the Cowboys in their 2024 NFL season. She has shared more instances of therapy sessions on her Instagram than many others, such visits including trips to Kinetic Centre, a facility specializing in spine and sports rehabilitation, where she addressed tension headaches and had her feet taped.

In a recent post featuring her, Dr. Kristina Myles, a sports chiropractor, mentioned that their main goal is to address and rectify deeper muscle layers in the body which could lead to discomfort, rigidity, or decreased mobility following an injury or excessive use.

For the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, football readiness is second nature, yet their primary source of income doesn’t necessarily stem from the performances on the field.

In 2017, ESPN revealed that NFL team cheerleaders typically earned between $75 and $150 per game, surprising many fans who believed these attractive entertainers were earning substantial or even livable wages.

In the debut season of America’s Sweethearts, it was apparent that DCC alum Kelcey Wetterberg serves as a pediatric nurse, whereas Reece Allman (formerly Weaver), who reappeared for the 2024 season, worked at a flower shop in Dallas to boost her income from cheerleading.

As reported by the Dallas Morning News, the remuneration for cheerleaders now typically ranges around $400 per game, along with an hourly wage during the preparation period for games and while attending events.

Nevertheless, former DCC student Kat Puryear stated on the Netflix program, “I might say I earn something comparable to a part-time Chick-fil-A employee’s salary…I might say I earn the equivalent of a full-time Chick-fil-A worker’s wage.

Megan McElaney, set to return in 2024, shared a sneak peek of her ordinary day as a multitasking NFL cheerleader, with the morning kick-starting at 6:15 am.

Beyond her full-time role as a marketing/recruiting coordinator at Bluecrest Financial Alliances (according to LinkedIn), she has also taken on the position of a makeup artist for The Styling Stewardess. Once her daily tasks are completed, her evenings find her at AT&T Stadium for practice sessions that conclude at 11 p.m.

According to Salter’s statement to TopMob News, “DCC has taught many of us the importance of managing our time effectively. It’s crucial that we find a balance between our work, DCC responsibilities, and personal time.

Keeping physical excellence at its best is an essential aspect of our job, however, personalized uniforms designed according to each cheerleader’s figure have enabled us to transition beyond a time that was overly preoccupied with body image concerns.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it as: “When it comes to perfecting the fit of our uniforms, it’s not about weight loss but rather achieving the most flattering silhouettes. Our dancers are proactive about their nutrition and fitness routines, each one taking personal responsibility for their health. Conveniently, we have a gym right next to our dance studio, offering them a space to work out whenever they please. Additionally, we provide access to nutritionists and mental health professionals, should any of the dancers require guidance or support.

Women have the liberty to attend to their individual routines, and we aim to offer relevant resources and instruct them accordingly. We prefer to keep our involvement minimal in this regard, and I believe this approach benefits us all.

On their website’s FAQ for the DCC auditions, it is recommended that you should appear well-balanced in dance attire. Importantly, they do not impose strict height or weight requirements.

Although the DCC organization hasn’t donned its iconic uniforms until 1972, it remains remarkably similar to how it started.

According to Finglass, it seems everything surrounding the cheerleaders has undergone a transformation. They’re adapting to various aspects such as social media and visibility, but fundamentally, they are exceptional dancers. A crucial part of their role has always required a selfless attitude, which has been consistent throughout our history.

Another resource at the ready: An etiquette coach.

According to Finglass, they attend dinners with senior military figures, which places them in circumstances that might be new for someone who is only 18 or 19 and comes from a small town.

Given that folks are thrilled to encounter the DCC in various parts of the globe, she added, “It brings me joy to see them grasping all aspects and becoming polished, poised, and well-prepared. My aim is simply to equip them with every resource available, so they can exude confidence.

Although they can ask for help when needed, and professional makeup artists are available during photo shoots, the women are expected to style their own hair and apply makeup prior to matches. (Sophy Laufer, a team member since 2022, has shared a detailed tutorial on how she achieves her radiant game day look on TikTok.)

In terms of aesthetics, there are certain guidelines: Lipstick should not be red, and neither should fingernails. Furthermore, hair is expected to be worn loose at all times, and Dallas’ Tangerine Salon has been maintaining the women’s luscious locks in this style for quite some time.

Regardless of how flawlessly shaped or smooth your legs may be, if you’re a DCC, they will always be covered with nude stockings.

Furthermore, should you possess a tattoo, that’s perfectly acceptable; however, for the games, it must be fully concealed using makeup and bronzer.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to share some insights about spray tans. According to the DCC, an ideal spray tan should have a warm hue without any orange undertones. It’s essential for the color of your face and body to be harmonious. When a spray tan is too dark, it can make facial features less distinct, which we definitely want to avoid!

In addition to their role at the DCC, Judy Trammell found it heartening to observe that they embodied the spirit of their community within the production of “America’s Sweethearts.

She expressed regret that the 16-season CMT reality show, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, which concluded in 2022, failed to depict the activities we engage in outside of the annual season, Trammell shared with Entertainment Tonight. “Activities such as USO tours, visits to veterans hospitals, and trips to children’s hospitals are a significant part of what we do, but they have never been shown before.

After you part ways with the team, according to Finglass, there’s an energetic and interactive alumni group known as “The Spirit of DCC” that you can become a part of.

Just as transitioning out of military life can be a significant shift, going from seeing your cheerleading teammates every night at rehearsals to not can also feel like a major lifestyle change, the DCC director acknowledged. That’s why we swiftly offer alumni activities as a means of support. It’s sad for everyone involved.

Reflecting on how the women continue to celebrate significant events like weddings, even those of their children’s weddings, long after their cheerleading years have ended, Finglass commented, “It’s as if I’m a teacher, and when my students graduate, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of the new freshman class. However, it’s natural to have feelings and connections that may not be experienced or felt on a daily basis.

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2025-06-18 23:21