Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have secured a substantial pay increase, with one member describing it as "a huge improvement." The raise, which reportedly reached 400 percent, follows years of documented underpayment for the iconic entertainment group.
Jada McLean, Megan McElaney, and Amanda Howard spearheaded efforts to achieve better wages. This collective action culminated at the close of the 2024-2025 NFL season.
McLean told Us Weekly in June 2025 that the change was a significant step forward. She highlighted that it would alleviate financial stress for the cheerleaders. McLean herself had experienced financial difficulties while on the team.
The new pay structure could allow veteran cheerleaders to earn up to $75 per hour, McLean informed The New York Times. However, the Cowboys organization has not publicly disclosed the specific new amounts.
Reece Weaver echoed the sentiment in a November 2025 episode of the "Unplanned" podcast. She noted the pay increase for game appearances and other fan interactions was "a much bigger raise than we had seen before." Weaver hopes the changes will inspire future generations of cheerleaders.
Before this recent increase, DCC members often earned wages comparable to entry-level jobs. Kat Puryear stated during the first season of Netflix’s ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ that her earnings matched a substitute teacher or a full-time fast-food worker.
Many cheerleaders worked multiple jobs to supplement their income. Chandi Dayle, featured in season two of the Netflix series, revealed she held four additional jobs to support herself.
Kristin Westbrook, who danced for the DCC from 2019 to 2022, reported earning $15 per hour for rehearsals. She received a fixed fee of $400 for each NFL game. Westbrook indicated that appearance fees also varied by tenure, starting at $100 for a rookie and increasing by $100 per year on the team.
McLean, in her fifth season (2024-2025), similarly reported $15 per hour and a $500 flat fee per game to The New York Times. The Cowboys classify cheerleaders as "part-time employees," meaning they do not receive full salaries or health insurance. They do have access to the team’s doctor and physical therapist. Cheerleaders are also encouraged to pursue social media collaborations for additional income.
In 2018, former cheerleader Erica Wilkins filed a lawsuit against the Cowboys over unfair pay. She alleged earning around $7 per hour with no overtime and a $200 fixed fee per game. Wilkins claimed her pay was less than the team mascot. The case was settled out of court in 2019 for an undisclosed sum.
Despite the prestige, cheerleader salaries historically stand in stark contrast to those of NFL players. Reece Weaver noted that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott earns $160 million, "very probably" more than all NFL cheerleaders combined.
Kelli Finglass, the longtime director of the DCC, was not directly involved in the salary negotiations. She told Us that her focus was maintaining the team’s momentum. Finglass expressed happiness that the cheerleaders were satisfied with the implemented improvements, calling it "a great season with the cheerleaders."