The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are known for their energetic performances and stunning choreography on the NFL field, but their lives don’t stop there. Behind the glittering uniforms and high-energy routines, many of the cheerleaders juggle demanding day jobs while remaining dedicated to their role on the squad.
In season 2 of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which premiered on Netflix on June 18, viewers got an inside look at the lives of both rookies and veterans of the squad.
While they’re stars on the field, several of them still manage to clock in for their 9-5 jobs, making their workdays even more packed than they already are.
A Look at Their Busy Lives
Many of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) divide their time between cheering for America’s team and pursuing careers in various fields. Here are a few of their day jobs:
- Armani Latimer: While working as a group leader for the DCC, Latimer also serves as the billing director at a law firm and is working toward applying to law school.
- Brooklyn Davis: When not practicing or performing, Davis works as a sales manager for the National Medal of Honor Museum.
- Jada Mclean: A cosmetic associate at a private practice, Mclean assists estheticians and supports the medical staff.
- Reece Weaver: When Weaver isn’t on the field, she’s bringing beauty to life as a florist.
- Marissa Phillips: Phillips balances her work at an accounting firm while co-running an online fashion brand, Joey Lynn Boutique, with her sister.
- Anna Kate Sundvold: Sundvold works in financial planning services at Bluecrest Financial Alliances.
- Chandi Dayle: A six-year veteran, Dayle juggles multiple jobs, including working at a Pilates studio, assisting with her family’s drug packaging mail-order pharmacy, acting as a receptionist for a sponsor, and managing social media for a pediatric dentistry office.
Why Do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Work Multiple Jobs?
Despite the glamor associated with the DCC, many cheerleaders need additional income to support themselves and their families. Mclean, for example, explained that “there’s no way” she could “survive off just DCC.” Like many of her colleagues, she balances two jobs to ensure financial stability.
Veteran cheerleader Megan McElaney echoed this sentiment, stating that the professional dance world, especially as an NFL cheerleader, is not sustainable without additional sources of income. She added that while DCC is one of the more stable dance jobs, dancers still need to supplement their income with other jobs.
As NBC Sports Boston reported in 2022, NFL cheerleaders typically earn around $150 per game, with an average yearly salary of about $22,500. The DCC’s hourly rate ranges from $15 to $20, with an estimated yearly salary of $75,000.
However, in season 2 of America’s Sweethearts, the cheerleaders fought for a pay raise, and by the 2025-2026 season, they secured a “life-changing” 400% pay increase.
How Do They Manage Their Packed Schedules?
Balancing a full-time job and cheerleading commitments can be grueling, but many cheerleaders credit excellent time management for making it work. Latimer, for example, described her “very hard” life as a balancing act that requires organization and preparation.
Phillips manages her busy schedule by bringing her meals and practice clothes with her. “I’ll pack all of my stuff for practice with me in the car,” she shared. This includes packing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and practice clothes so she can go straight from her full-time job to cheerleading practice without losing precious time.
Reece Weaver shared how she made it work during her rookie season by delivering flowers in the morning and heading straight to practice afterward. This arrangement gave her extra income while allowing enough time to focus on rehearsal and preparation for her routines.
Support from DCC Executives
Despite the challenges, DCC Director Kelli Finglass is supportive of the cheerleaders’ pursuits outside of the squad. “All of their degrees and their careers are actually what make them really impressive,” Finglass remarked. “They’re not just dancers. I think that makes them really interesting.”
Finglass is mindful of the cheerleaders’ busy lives and encourages them to pursue their passions, while also hoping they remain focused on the squad.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ dedication to their craft is evident both on and off the field. As they balance demanding careers with their roles as elite athletes and performers, they prove that the life of a cheerleader requires more than just athleticism—it takes passion, time management, and the courage to follow multiple dreams.
Whether it’s running a boutique, managing a law firm, or working in healthcare, these women show that cheerleading is just one part of their multifaceted lives.
