Latest news with #AmericasSweethearts
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders salary: How much are dancers paid?
FOLLOWING years of controversy, the iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders secured a historic pay rise in 2025. Netflix's America's Sweethearts revealed the world's wealthiest sports franchise paid their dedicated team of dancers inadequately, but thankfully they have secured a 400 per cent pay rise. 3 3 3 In June 2025, it was announced on Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders that the squad would receive a 400 per cent pay increase for the 2025 NFL season. This marks a significant shift from previous years, when their pay was widely criticized as inadequate given the demanding nature and visibility of their role. During the show's first series, Charlotte Jones — daughter of franchise owner Jerry Jones — admitted their was an issue with their pay, saying: "There's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders — as it should be. They're not paid a lot." Previously, the squad was paid $400 per game — a figure that itself was the result of a 2019 settlement that doubled their earlier $200 per game rate. And now the Cowboys have reportedly multiplied the squad's pay by four, which would take it up to somewhere in the region of $1,600. When season two of America's Sweethearts dropped on June 18, 2025, one of the Cowboy's cheerleaders revealed that the franchise had finally addressed this issue. Megan McElaney said: "We ended up getting a 400 per cent increase, which is like, life-changing.' She said they would now earn around $75 per hour, compared to about $15 per hour from the previous season for most cheerleaders. And former Cowboys dancer Jada McLean added: "Happy isn't even the right word for it. "I think I was just ... a relief, like everything had paid off... Finally, we were done fighting." Former Cowboys cheerleader Jada reportedly earned between $15,000 and $22,000 annually during her time with the squad, a figure that includes game-day pay, rehearsals and paid appearances. She also told the New York Times that the new contract does not include health insurance. Cheerleaders typically spend 30 to 40 hours per week on training, performances, and preparations, and many still work additional jobs to make ends meet. The pay raise comes after years of internal discussions, media coverage, and legal action. In 2018, former cheerleader Erica Wilkins filed a lawsuit alleging unfair pay practices, claiming she earned about $7 an hour plus a flat $200 per game. The lawsuit was settled in 2019, doubling the per-game rate at the time. Although the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world, topping Forbes' sporting wealth list with a valuation of $10.1billion, their cheerleaders' pay has historically lagged behind the team's financial stature. The recent raise is seen by many as long-overdue, bringing the cheerleaders' pay more in line with the squad's prominence, commitment and workload.
CBC
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders' 400% raise is a reminder of how little female athletes get paid
If you're among the millions who have been riveted by America's Sweethearts, Netflix's docuseries about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, then you already know that the 36 women who make the squad are nothing less than pro athletes. Most come from studio-trained dance backgrounds. They endure gruelling training programs and have to meet intense physical demands — their trademark kick-line and jump-split move is so punishing that some of them have torn their hips to the point of needing surgery. From July to the end of the Cowboys season, they rehearse three to four times per week for two to three hours at a time, and perform at all home games. Practices alone can be a 40-hour-per week commitment, notes People magazine, and that doesn't include their promotional appearances. And for all this, until recently, they were reportedly not paid enough to support themselves. As the cheerleaders on the show themselves have pointed out, many of them work second or even third jobs. Now, the second season of America's Sweethearts has dropped, alongside a significant announcement: a 400 per cent pay increase. "Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise," four-year veteran Megan McElaney said on the show, calling the increase "life-changing." The show didn't disclose what the cheerleaders had earned before the pay raise, or what their compensation would look like after it. But former cheerleader Jada McLean told the New York Times Wednesday she used to make $15 US per hour as a five-year veteran on the squad, and with the pay bump, it could be more like $75 US per hour. While many have been shocked to learn how little NFL cheerleaders are paid, it fits into the overall narrative of the gender pay gap in women's sport, said Cheri Bradish, the director of the Future of Sport Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. "There are inequities for women in sport in all kinds of roles, not just cheerleading," Bradish told CBC News. "Their journey is very similar to what we have seen with other leagues and teams who are struggling to get the respect of having broader and more respected pay in general." 'A volunteer position' Being a cheerleader is a significant commitment that demands a high level of athleticism, dedication and professionalism, said Raeanne Milovanovic, co-founder and vice-president of the Canadian Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization. Compensation varies by team and has "historically been a topic of discussion," Milovanovic said. Stipends typically don't work out to minimum wage, she said, but there are other perks and promotional opportunities — and for many, it's more about the experience. "For many, it's a volunteer position," she said. CFL cheerleaders typically don't receive a regular fixed wage, but instead receive per-game payments of about $50 US to $100 US per game, according to the CFL News Hub. Salary discrepancies are gaining more attention as female sport experiences a massive rise in popularity. Superstars like the WNBA's Caitlin Clark, U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, rugby player Ilona Maher, and Canadian record-smashing swimmer Summer McIntosh have helped attract more eyeballs on events, as has the emergence of new female professional hockey and soccer leagues. Paycheques, however, have not kept pace. Paige Bueckers, for instance, the WNBA's No. 1 draft pick, is projected to earn just $78,831 US for her rookie year — about $109,480 Cdn, or less than the real median household income in the States. Players in the Professional Women's Hockey League can earn as little as $35,000 US per year. In March, a FIFA report on women's soccer found that the average salary for top-tier teams was $24,030 US globally, less than a living wage in many places. And despite 2024 seeing a surge of viral female athletes, not one woman made the top 100 list of highest-paid athletes worldwide last year. WATCH | The PWHL on its latest expansion: 'You have to see it to be it:' PWHL's executive VP says on latest expansion | Hanomansing Tonight 2 months ago Duration 5:48 The Professional Women's Hockey League will expand to Vancouver and begin play next season, the league announced on Wednesday. Jayna Hefford, OIympic gold medalist and executive vice president of hockey operations at PWHL, says Vancouver was 'a standout' opportunity to grow the league. The battle for pay The Dallas cheerleaders have been pushing for pay increases for years, part of an overall NFL cheerleader battle for minimum wage. In 2017, a federal judge tossed out a lawsuit accusing the NFL and team owners of conspiring to suppress wages for cheerleaders. In 2019, the Cowboys settled a lawsuit with a former cheerleader that led to the squad doubling the per-game pay, from $200 US to $400 US. The latest raise is four times that. "'Happy' isn't even the right word for it," former cheerleader Jada McLean said on the show. "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." Robyn Pineault, 42, cheered for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts in the early 2000s. On top of practices and public appearances, Pineault says she would dance the entire game on the sidelines, plus the halftime shows and shows between each quarter, all of which was physically demanding and time consuming. Pineault, who now lives in Ottawa, says she's proud of the Dallas cheerleaders for pushing for a pay raise. "They have the epitome of brand awareness in the industry. Every single cheerleader looks up to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders," she said. "So to see them get a wage increase and actually be paid what they are worth, not just be given the opportunity to dance and have that career but also get fair pay, is a really great story for dancers everywhere."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Secret at the heart of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders that's tearing world's richest sports team apart
The second season of 'America's Sweethearts' has been released on Netflix, with the streamer once again providing a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. But for all of the recognition that being a Cowboys cheerleader brings, members of the NFL squad's famed cheerleading are not exactly rich. While it's understood that not all Dallas cheerleaders make the same salary, one ex-Cowboys cheerleader who exclusively spoke to the Daily Mail said she made between $15,000 and $22,000 per year while part of the DCC. Cheerleaders can also add to their pay by doing special appearances, with those rates understood to be based on tenure. Other reports, such as one from NBC Sports Boston in 2022, said that Cowboys cheerleaders earn between $15-20 per hour or $500 per game - which the publication calculated out to a healthier $75,000 yearly salary. An ESPN report from 2017 added that the average leaguewide game-rate for cheerleaders was between $75 and $150. 'America's Sweethearts' details the grueling commitment of being a Cowboys cheerleader Thus, while there may be a large range in the pay of Cowboys cheerleaders, they generally make more than their counterparts around the NFL. The issue of cheerleaders' pay has come to the forefront in recent years, with a former DCC actually filing a lawsuit in 2017. As a result of that litigation, pay for Cowboys cheerleaders was increased from $8 an hour to $12, with their game-day fee was doubled from $200 to $400. Still, the franchise's chief brand officer (and daughter of owner Jerry Jones) Charlotte Jones has previously admitted cheerleaders are underpaid. 'There 's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders — as it should be. They're not paid a lot,' she said in the first season of the documentary, which shows the dedication it takes to be a Cowboys cheerleader. 'But the facts are, they actually don't come here for the money. They come here for something that's actually bigger than that to them. 'They have a passion for dance. There are not a lot of opportunities in the field of dance to get to perform at an elite level. It is about being a part of something bigger than themselves,' Jones continued. 'It is about a sisterhood that they are able to form, about relationships that they have for the rest of their life. They have a chance to feel like they are valued, they are special, and they are making a difference. When the women come here, they find their passion and they find their purpose.' As seen in 'America's Sweethearts', many of the team's members have to hold second jobs to pursue their goals in dance, and spend 30 to 40 hours of their week practicing. There are also strict rules that cheerleaders have to follow when it comes to their appearance, including how their hair and makeup is done. Ultimately, however, there are positives to being a Cowboys cheerleader as well.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How much do Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make? Full salary details revealed as new Netflix season drops
The second season of 'America's Sweethearts' has been released on Netflix, with the streamer once again providing a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. But for all of the recognition that being a Cowboys cheerleader brings, members of the NFL squad's famed cheerleading are not exactly rich. While it's understood that not all Dallas cheerleaders make the same salary, one ex-Cowboys cheerleader who exclusively spoke to the Daily Mail said she made between $15,000 and $22,000 per year while part of the DCC. Cheerleaders can also add to their pay by doing special appearances, with those rates understood to be based on tenure. Other reports, such as one from NBC Sports Boston in 2022, said that Cowboys cheerleaders earn between $15-20 per hour or $500 per game - which the publication calculated out to a healthier $75,000 yearly salary. An ESPN report from 2017 added that the average leaguewide game-rate for cheerleaders was between $75 and $150. 'America's Sweethearts' details the grueling commitment of being a Cowboys cheerleader Thus, while there may be a large range in the pay of Cowboys cheerleaders, they generally make more than their counterparts around the NFL. The issue of cheerleaders' pay has come to the forefront in recent years, with a former DCC actually filing a lawsuit in 2017. As a result of that litigation, pay for Cowboys cheerleaders was increased from $8 an hour to $12, with their game-day fee was doubled from $200 to $400. Still, the franchise's chief brand officer (and daughter of owner Jerry Jones) Charlotte Jones has previously admitted cheerleaders are underpaid. 'There 's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders — as it should be. They're not paid a lot,' she said in the first season of the documentary, which shows the dedication it takes to be a Cowboys cheerleader. 'But the facts are, they actually don't come here for the money. They come here for something that's actually bigger than that to them. 'They have a passion for dance. There are not a lot of opportunities in the field of dance to get to perform at an elite level. It is about being a part of something bigger than themselves,' Jones continued. 'It is about a sisterhood that they are able to form, about relationships that they have for the rest of their life. They have a chance to feel like they are valued, they are special, and they are making a difference. When the women come here, they find their passion and they find their purpose.' As seen in 'America's Sweethearts', many of the team's members have to hold second jobs to pursue their goals in dance, and spend 30 to 40 hours of their week practicing. There are also strict rules that cheerleaders have to follow when it comes to their appearance, including how their hair and makeup is done. Ultimately, however, there are positives to being a Cowboys cheerleader as well.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
3 of the biggest Netflix releases coming next week that belong on your watchlist
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Netflix is heating up the second half of June with a handful of high-profile TV series coming next week that couldn't be more different from each other — and there's a good chance that at least one of the three we're going to preview in this post will land squarely in your wheelhouse. Whether you're in the mood for a Southern drama filled with crime and family secrets or a docuseries about one of the most famous professional cheerleading squads, we're pretty sure there's something here worth adding to your queue. And if all else fails? At least Phil Rosenthal is back with another season of food-fueled globetrotting that's practically comfort TV on demand. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 Here's a look at three new Netflix TV releases hitting the streaming giant over the next several days that we think are worth adding to your watchlist: High kicks, big hair, and AC/DC's Thunderstruck blaring through AT&T Stadium? That all obviously means one thing — the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are back. Season 2 of America's Sweethearts on Netflix picks up right where Season 1 ended, dropping us back into the pressure cooker of open tryouts. Young women from all over are chasing one of the most coveted roles in cheerleading, and just because someone made the team last year doesn't mean they're safe this time around. Even returning fan favorites like Reece and Kelly V have to fight to keep their spots. Directed by Cheer creator Greg Whiteley, the series once again looks behind the sparkle and pom-poms and into the real lives of the women wearing those iconic blue and white uniforms. We follow the cheerleaders not just through rehearsals and their intense routines, but through their private struggles with mental health, financial pressure, body image, and social media drama. The world may be complicated, but one thing remains thankfully simple: Watching Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal eat makes everything seem better. At least for a little while. The host of Somebody Feed Phil is back for his eighth season in this Netflix classic, bringing his infectious enthusiasm, dad jokes, and insatiable curiosity to a fresh batch of foodie adventures. As always, Rosenthal doesn't just show up for the food; he's there for the people, the culture, and the conversation around the table. Season 8 promises more global exploration and unapologetic joy, as Rosenthal once again proves he's the friendliest guy to ever dive face-first into a street taco or clink glasses in a higher-end setting. This one is the dose of feel-good TV that you're looking for. For this third of next week's big Netflix releases, imagine a version of Succession that's set in the South and mixes a family fishing empire with a criminal enterprise and a dark past that's buried like a rusted-out pickup in a marsh. That, my friends, is more or less what you get with The Waterfront — creator Kevin Williamson's part-Southern noir, part-family saga that's set in a coastal North Carolina town. The story is about the powerful Buckley family, which is fighting to stay on top while everything around them starts to rot. Holt McCallany (Mindhunter) plays Harlan Buckley, the patriarch whose health is fading. His kids, meanwhile, are scheming and switching their allegiances faster than the tide. Jake Weary and Maria Bello play Cane and Belle, the son and matriarch eager to take the reins. But it's Melissa Benoist as Bree, the black sheep daughter fresh out of rehab, who gives the show its emotional center. She's trying to rebuild her life and reconnect with her son, but a dangerously toxic relationship threatens to drag her down, and the whole family down with her. Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
