Dallas, TX – The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are set to receive a 400 percent raise, according to a statement from one of the team members on the second season of the Netflix series “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders”.
A Major Pay Increase for the Cheerleaders
Former cheerleader Jada McLean shared her excitement about the pay increase, saying, “Happy isn’t even the right word for it.
I think I was just… kind of felt, like, a relief, like everything had paid off.” McLean expressed that the raise was a moment of relief after years of fighting for better compensation.
History of Pay Disputes
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have been advocating for higher pay for many years. In 2019, a legal settlement involving a former cheerleader resulted in a pay increase, doubling the per-game pay from $200 to $400. This was a significant step toward addressing concerns about the cheerleaders’ compensation.
In the Netflix series, Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran of the squad, described the raise as “life-changing,” noting that the 400 percent increase has had a profound impact on her and her fellow cheerleaders.
Legal Battles and Financial Settlements
In addition to the pay increase, the Cowboys also settled a $2.4 million lawsuit with four cheerleaders nearly a decade ago. The lawsuit involved allegations that then-public relations executive Rich Dalrymple filmed the cheerleaders in their dressing room.
Although Dalrymple denied the allegations, he retired just before the settlement was made public in a 2022 ESPN report.
The Cowboys’ Financial Power
The Dallas Cowboys continue to be the most valuable sports team in the world, with a valuation of $10.1 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
This immense wealth and influence have made the Cowboys a major force in the sports world, and the pay raise for the cheerleaders reflects growing efforts to improve working conditions for all team members.
