Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Finally Earn a Livable Wage After 400 Percent Raise
Break out your pom-poms and get ready to celebrate: the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are finally getting a much-deserved raise.
The team revealed the news on the second season of their Netflix documentary series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. According to Megan McElaney, a fourth-year veteran on the team, the cheerleaders are getting a 'life-changing' 400 percent pay raise for the 2025 season.
Advertisement
This is a huge win for the cheerleaders, who have been fighting for better fair pay since former cheerleader Erica Wilkins sued the team back in 2018, alleging that she made less than the team's mascot for her work. The case was settled a year later, resulting in an increase of wages from $8 to $12 and the game day rate from $200 to $400.
When Season 1 of the series premiered back in 2024, the world was shocked to learn that the cheerleaders were barely making minimum wage. During the show, former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader Kat Puryear compared their wages to a 'substitute teacher' or a 'Chick-Fil-A' worker that's full time.'
The revelation about the cheerleaders' unfair salaries sparked outrage online, with many people pointing out the irony that players make millions of dollars a year, while the cheerleaders are essentially told to be 'grateful' for minimum wage.
In an interview with the New York Times, former cheerleader Jada McLean provided more details about the raise. In 2024, McLean claims she made around $15 dollars an hour and $500 per game. With the raise, cheerleaders can now make $75 per hour or more, depending on the number of years spent on the team.
Advertisement
People on social media celebrated the win, reiterating that the raise was 'long overdue.'
'About time. They deserve it and had been exploited for far too long,' an X user commented.
Another user was happy for the squad, but still thought they deserve more.
'Hope they are getting paid better. I see veterans now get $75 per hour. But honestly should be more given how much they make for that company. Also, tbh, they are the talent because who are even the cowboys at this point without their cheerleaders,' they wrote.
It's a good day for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Maybe they should change their nickname to America's Fairly Paid Sweethearts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
How to watch 'The Waterfront,' new series from 'Dawson's Creek' creator
How to watch 'The Waterfront,' new series from 'Dawson's Creek' creator Show Caption Hide Caption Need a show to binge? These are the must watch shows this summer USA TODAY's TV critic Kelly Lawler breaks down the best TV shows you don't to want to miss this summer Move over, "Outer Banks": a new North Carolina-based drama series just hit Netflix. "The Waterfront" follows a prominent fishing family in coastal North Carolina whose legacy is at risk, according to the show's description. According to Netflix, the show's first season, which premiered on June 19, is "as much about family dynamics as they are about the lengths people will go to when their legacy is on the line." Kevin Williamson, the creator of hit shows like "Dawson's Creek" and "The Vampire Diaries," is the writer and executive producer of the show. It also features a star-studded cast, including Holt McCallany, who is known for "Mindhunter," and Melissa Benoist, the former star of "Supergirl." Here's what to know about "The Waterfront" Season 1. What is 'The Waterfront' about? The show follows the Buckley family of Havenport, North Carolina. They have long dominated the town's fishing industry and restaurant scene, but the family's empire has started to crumble after patriarch Harlan Buckley suffered from two heart attacks, Netflix says. His wife, Belle, and son, Cane, are working to keep the family businesses afloat while daughter Bree faces her own struggles in addiction recovery, per Netflix. Williamson told Netflix's Tudum the series is about trying to find the 'lesser evil' in a difficult situation. 'It's just about a bunch of people who make mistakes. They do some bad things and then they get in deeper and deeper and deeper,' he said. 'Sometimes they keep making worse mistakes and sometimes they find their way out and do the good thing.' When does 'The Waterfront' come out? "The Waterfront" Season 1 released on June 19 at 3 a.m. ET. All eight episodes of the show hit Netflix at that time. How to watch 'The Waterfront' Only Netflix subscribers will have access to watch "The Waterfront." The service has several monthly plans available, which start at $7.99 per month. The platform doesn't offer free trials. The show's entire first season will be available to stream on the platform starting on June 19 at 3 a.m. ET. 'The Waterfront' trailer 'The Waterfront' cast TV fans may see some familiar faces on "The Waterfront." Here's who's on the cast: Holt McCallany as Harlan Buckley Maria Bello as Belle Buckley Jake Weary as Cane Buckley Melissa Benoist as Bree Buckley Rafael L. Silva as Shawn West Humberly González as Jenna Tate Danielle Campbell as Peyton Buckley Brady Hepner as Diller Hopkins Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
From 'Minecraft' to 'Snow White,' 10 movies you need to stream right now
From 'Minecraft' to 'Snow White,' 10 movies you need to stream right now Show Caption Hide Caption 'Chicken jockey!' Viral trend causes chaos at 'Minecraft' screenings In the U.S. and U.K., moviegoers are going wild when Jack Black shouts, "Chicken jockey!" during "A Minecraft Movie." Love movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter has all the best recommendations, delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now and be one of the cool kids. Now you can finally understand why your middle schooler has been saying "Chicken jockey!" for the past couple of months. The video-game hit "A Minecraft Movie" is one of several new streaming films that have arrived on your various streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon's Prime Video, Disney+ and more. There are theatrical releases finally coming home, including a Liam Neeson gangster thriller and an oddball Kristen Stewart movie, plus original fare like a K-pop animated adventure and a documentary about historic astronaut Sally Ride. Here are 10 notable new movies you can stream right now: 'Absolution' After finding out he doesn't have much time to live, an aging mob enforcer (Liam Neeson) seeks to make things right with his estranged daughter and grandson, plus do some good – by doing some bad – before the clock runs out. Have one last dose of action-movie Neeson before he goes full absurd in "The Naked Gun." Where to watch: Hulu 'The Accountant 2' There's sadly not as much math as in 2016's original "The Accountant," which became a surprise cult hit on cable TV. Plenty of bro love fills that gap in the serviceable sequel, which teams action-hero CPA Christian (Ben Affleck) with his hit-man sibling Braxton (Jon Bernthal) to solve a mystery involving a broken family and human trafficking. Where to watch: Prime Video 'Cleaner' Daisy Ridley stars in the action thriller as a window cleaner struggling to keep her job and care for her autistic older brother (Matthew Tuck). A day at work turns harrowing when environmental activists take the building hostage. So it's a good thing she's a former British soldier in a high-stakes drama that one could call "Die Hard" with Windex. Where to watch: Max 'Deep Cover' There's a motley crew at work in this action comedy, with Bryce Dallas Howard as an improv comedy teacher recruited to infiltrate the London crime scene. She enlists the help of two students (Orlando Bloom and "Ted Lasso" breakout Nick Mohammed) and they accidentally become decent gangsters. Where to watch: Prime Video 'Echo Valley' Julianne Moore is in the conversation for Movie Mom of the Year. She starts in the twisty thriller as a horse trainer struggling to keep her business afloat after her wife's death. Things get worse as efforts to reconnect with her addict daughter (Sydney Sweeney) end up with the mother going to extremes to cover up a dead body. Where to watch: Apple TV+ 'KPop Demon Hunters' Catchy music, anime style and some horror combine in this kid-friendly action comedy. When the members of Korean pop trio Huntrix aren't busy being mega-stars, they protect their fans from supernatural dangers. But dark secrets and hormones become issues, thanks to their latest enemy: demons disguised as a hunky boy band. Where to watch: Netflix 'Love Me' Are you ready for a romantic sort-of-comedy between inanimate objects? Hundreds of years after mankind is wiped out, a smart buoy (Kristen Stewart) turns on and strikes up a friendship with the last satellite (Steven Yeun) launched into space. This weird couple literally gets more real as time passes, trying ice cream for the first time and opening up to each other. Where to watch: Paramount+ 'A Minecraft Movie' Kids are going to love it, as will anyone with a soft spot for the glorious weirdness of "Napoleon Dynamite." The adventure centers on misfits stuck in a fantasy world that makes the most of their creativity, with an unhinged Jack Black singing about lava chicken and a hilariously macho Jason Momoa gamely taking the brunt of the gags. Where to watch: Max 'Sally' While this revealing documentary about Sally Ride obviously touches on her being the first American woman in space, it's more interested in getting into her personal life. The movie digs into her tennis roots, the misogyny she dealt with regularly at NASA, and the lesbian romance she kept private for 27 years knowing it wouldn't be accepted. Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu 'Snow White' Rachel Zegler is enchanting as the title character, even if the Disney live-action musical remake plays it too safe. Targeted for death by her evil queen stepmom (a camped-out Gal Gadot), scullery maid Snow high-tails it to a nearby forest and makes some friends – including seven little miner dudes – before sparking her own revolution. Where to watch: Disney+
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Cowboys Headlines: Lakers sale good news for Jerry Jones; cheerleaders get huge pay raise
Cowboys Headlines: Lakers sale good news for Jerry Jones; cheerleaders get huge pay raise Today, we celebrate freedom.#Juneteenth is a day to reflect, educate, and commemorate. — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 19, 2025 Major financial news surrounding America's Team this week, even though the players are out on summer vacation. The NBA's Los Angeles Lakers were sold for a record amount. That development doesn't change the Cowboys' standing as the most valuable sports team on the planet- in fact, it just pushed their worth even higher. We'll explain. And coincidentally, the team's world-famous cheerleaders are getting a massive pay raise, going from an embarrassingly low wage that brought a lawsuit just a few years ago to an amount that one current member called "life-changing." Meanwhile, we've got roster news on two defensive additions (and the two players who were cut to make room), big-picture background on why Donovan Ezeiruaku remains unsigned, a theory on why Jerry Jones isn't rushing to ink Micah Parsons to a market-setting deal, and a fascinating look back at the Cowboys trailblazer who changed the locker room... and helped transform a city as we commemorate Juneteenth. Where Cowboys rank among most valuable franchises after Lakers' $10B sale :: Link The NBA's Lakers were estimated to be worth $8.07 billion at the time of their sale Wednesday for a record $10 billion. The Cowboys remain the most valuable franchise in sports, though, with a valuation of $10.32 billion as of February. The Lakers' eye-popping price tag simply means Jerry Jones could now ask for A LOT more... if, of course, he were of a mind to sell. Cowboys likely delaying this $40 million annual investment for a reason :: Cowboys Wire Link Jerry Jones's stalling to do a deal with Micah Parsons isn't just stubbornness. Every day a dollar stays in the owner's portfolio is a potential for serious profit. Estimates calculate that an investment of $40 million (Parsons's expected annual payday) stands to make an average of 10% in annual profit. That equates to 0.83% profit per month and a $332,000 monthly return. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders say they will receive 400% pay raise next season :: Dallas Morning News Link The raise was revealed during Season 2 of the Netflix series America's Sweethearts. The team settled one pay dispute in 2019, with the squad's gameday pay jumping from $200 to $400. This bump is four times that. With most members juggling several jobs to make ends meet, one cheerleader described the raise as "life-changing." Cowboys sign former 4th-round draft picks at DT, CB; waive 2 from roster to make room :: Cowboys Wire Link All-UFL defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey will make his return to the NFL after starting in Cleveland in 2022. Cornerback Robert Rochell played in 28 games for the Rams and 23 for the Packers. Justin Rogers and Luq Barcoo were waived to make room for them on the Dallas roster. Agent's Take: What is holding up NFL Draft second-rounders from signing rookie deals? :: CBS Sports Link Only 36 drafted players remain unsigned, but an overwhelming 30 of them- including Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku- are second-rounders. Agent Joel Corry says the stalemate is because of QB Tyler Shough, who was picked 40th overall. Shough is insisting on a fully guaranteed contract from the Saints, and that possibility has agents for many of the unsigned picks around him (Ezeiruaku was 44th) waiting to see if they can get better deals as a result. 2 veteran cut candidates who would still play for Cowboys in 2025 :: Cowboys Wire Link Don't be surprised if Will Grier and CJ Goodwin are both let go following the Cowboys' preseason finale, only to be brought back. Grier could be on the practice squad and then elevated for the first three weeks of the season- to protect Joe Milton's spot on the roster and still keep a veteran backup handy. The Cowboys may make a gentleman's agreement with special-teams ace Goodwin to bring him back after Week 1, a roster-shuffle trick they've done with him before. Cowboys mailbag: Dak Prescott optimism? Trevon Diggs' future? Summer standouts? :: The Athletic Link This look at the current state of the Cowboys notes that the team could offload Trevon Diggs during the next offseason and carry a dead cap hit of just under $6 million in 2026, saving more than $12.5 million. Or they could designate him a post-June 1 release and save $15.5 million... and spread the dead cap over 2026 and 2027 at just under $3 million each year. Unless there's a huge bounceback from Diggs in 2025, a parting of the ways is certainly a possibility, given those figures. Analyst: 'Doing the Draft Show in October' if Cowboys don't correct this Prescott issue :: Cowboys Wire Link Ex-scout Bryan Broaddus believes the Cowboys' 2025 season could come to an early end if Brian Schottenheimer demands that his offensive vision be executed over and above what the quarterback actually sees on the field. The implication, of course, is that what doomed the Cowboys last season under Mike McCarthy. Cowboys risk losing draft picks if they play $3 million bargains too much :: Cowboys Wire Link Keep an eye on the snap counts for Javonte Williams and Solomon Thomas this year. If either plays enough to qualify as compensatory free agents, they risk cancelling out first a sixth-round-, and then a fifth-round draft pick. The Cowboys could, however, pick up extra seventh-round help if Rico Dowdle and Cooper Rush play more than expected for their new teams. Dallas will already get comp picks for the losses of Jourdan Lewis, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Chauncey Golston. Dallas Cowboys veterans and rookies scheduled to report to training camp on July 21st :: Blogging the Boys Link Cowboys veteran and rookies alike will report to Oxnard, Calif. on July 21. The rest of the training camp schedule has yet to be announced, but the team will have a joint practice with the Rams on Aug. 5. $34 million mercenary among 3 Cowboys to make ESPN's quarter-century 53-man roster :: Cowboys Wire Link Wide receiver Terrell Owens, right guard Zack Martin, and edge rusher DeMarcus Ware were all named to the network's All-Quarter Century Team. Collectively, the three ex-Cowboys had 21 All-Pro nods. This boxer trains Cowboys, NFL stars. Now, he's joining an upstart boxing league :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Players like Micah Parsons and Amari Cooper have trained with Tony Mack at his boxing gym in Allen, Tex. Now Mack will coach the Dallas Enforcers in the rising Team Combat League. The 24-boxer team, with a 4-1 record, is currently in second place in the 12-team league. Pettis Norman's life in football :: Dallas Cowboys YouTube Link In commemoration of Juneteenth, check out the contributions that the former tight end made in advocating for equal treatment within the Cowboys locker room during the segregated '60s. The changes Norman helped usher in with the team began to alter perspectives of Dallas society at large. The Cowboys celebrate freedom on Juneteenth :: Dallas Cowboys Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
