Latest news with #MeganMcElaney
Cosmopolitan
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
What is the DCCs' new salary with 400% raise? Megan confirms
Thanks to collective bargaining by veteran team members, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders got themselves a 400% raise—a huge deal considering they were previously working multiple other jobs just to make ends meet. But it looks like their new salary less than expected. As a reminder: last season on America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Kat revealed that the DCC paid her the same amount as a full-time Chick-fil-A worker (around $37,947). With that number in mind, a 400 percent raise would be somewhere around $151,000. However, Megan McElaney—who helped lead the effort to renegotiate contracts—just hopped into a fan's TikTok comments and revealed that she's making less than $75,000 a year. "Hi! Many of the opportunities we get are optional and based on your schedule so it depends on the girl! Hoping for one day to make 75K!" Megan wrote, going on to add "This is also a part time job and sometimes it's only 2.5 hours a night! They're very respectful of our time and our personal lives!" This comes amid Jada McLean telling the New York Times that in 2024 (her fifth year on DCC) she was making $15 an hour and $500 for each appearance. She also confirmed that the raise has them making $75 an hour, but that they still don't get health insurance. Obviously, any raise is a huge win—but sounds like there's still a ways to go before the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are truly compensated fairly! As Jada put it to the NYT, "We are more than just cheerleaders. We're talented, strong, educated women and we're hard-working athletes who deserve to be seen as such." America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is available on Netflix now
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.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders confirm 400% pay raise in Netflix's America's Sweethearts — here's what they're earning now
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, one of the NFL's most iconic squads, are receiving a substantial pay increase following the release of the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. As revealed during Season 2, which premiered on June 18, 2025, squad members are now earning 400% more than in previous seasons, marking one of the most significant wage shifts in the team's history. What the Netflix series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders revealed In America's Sweethearts, the cheerleaders gave an unfiltered look at their lives, highlighting both the physical demands of the job and the financial realities many faced behind the scenes. While the team's image has long been associated with glamour and prestige, the series made it clear that compensation hadn't kept pace. During the second season, cheerleader Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran, confirmed the new raise on camera. 'Our efforts were heard, and they wanted to give us a raise,' she said. 'And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is, like, life-changing.' Her statement came after months of internal discussions between team leadership and returning squad members, who pushed for more equitable compensation as the franchise continued to grow in visibility and revenue. A history of underpayment Calls for fairer wages are not new. In 2019, the Cowboys settled a lawsuit filed by former cheerleader Erica Wilkins, who alleged she was making as little as $7 per hour, with no overtime pay and $200 per game. That legal action resulted in the team doubling game-day pay from $200 to $400, but base hourly wages remained low—around $15 an hour as recently as 2024. The Netflix docuseries helped reignite public and internal attention to these concerns, giving current members a national platform to voice the need for updated pay standards. What the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make now Following the 400% increase, current Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are earning: $75 or more per hour for rehearsals, appearances, and related duties Up to $2,000 per game day, compared to $500 before the raise Weekly earnings around $1,600, depending on scheduling and event participation While the pay increase marks a dramatic improvement, the cheerleaders remain classified as part-time employees, which means they do not receive health insurance or long-term employment benefits. However, they continue to have access to the Cowboys' medical staff during the season. Why this matters The Dallas Cowboys are consistently ranked as the most valuable sports franchise in the world, with a current estimated valuation exceeding $10 billion. For years, many have argued that the cheerleaders, integral to the team's brand identity and media presence, were being underpaid despite their contributions. With America's Sweethearts shining a spotlight on these issues, the newly announced raise is being viewed not only as a win for the current team but as a pivotal moment for cheerleaders across the NFL.
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."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' documents pay win for the group
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have scored a salary touchdown. The new season of the Netflix docuseries 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' includes the women getting a pay raise. ''Happy' isn't even the right word for it. It kind of felt like a relief, like everything had paid off,' former cheerleader Jada McLean said. 'And finally, we were done fighting.' Netflix bills the series as viewers get to 'Follow the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and the NFL season as they chase their dreams and a coveted spot on the squad.' During the first season the audience learned that because of the low pay many of cheerleaders had to work second jobs. The women have advocated for more money for years. 'Our efforts were heard, and they wanted to give us a raise,' Megan McElaney, a four year veteran of the team, said. 'And we ended up getting a 400 percent increase, which is, like, life-changing.' The Dallas Cowboys have long been called America's team and according to Forbes magazine the franchise has 'been the most valuable pro sports team in the world for almost a decade' as reported by Associated Press. Season two of 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' is currently streaming on Netflix.
