Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Got A Raise — Fans Are Not Happy About It
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys are worth more than any franchise in sports. Jerry Jones could reportedly fetch north of $20 billion if he ever decided to sell. Compare that to the Los Angeles Lakers, who recently sold for $12 billion, and the gap becomes obvious.
Despite that kind of valuation, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have historically earned a fraction of what the team’s stars bring home. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Ezekiel Elliott have all landed massive contracts over the years. The cheerleaders, meanwhile, have had to fight for every raise.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Did Get A Major Pay Bump
That fight has paid off, at least somewhat. A 400% pay raise was reported for the squad, with veteran cheerleaders now earning roughly $75 an hour, up from about $15 an hour in previous seasons.
“We ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing,” four-year veteran Megan McElaney said on Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts.”
Guess who just became a fourth year vet? 💙💙💙💙
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is coming back for Season 4!!! pic.twitter.com/kBmAzn5pL2
— Netflix (@netflix) August 20, 2026
That hourly rate reportedly translates to as much as $2,500 per game, and between $50,000 and $75,000 for a full season. It’s solid money for what’s technically a part-time gig, though most of these women treat it like a full-time job.
Still, plenty of fans think the number should be higher, especially given how much the cheerleaders contribute to the Cowboys brand beyond game day appearances.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Fans Want An Even Bigger Raise
Reaction poured in once the salary details made the rounds online. Many fans argued the raise, while significant, still falls short of what the cheerleaders are worth to the organization.
“That’s good money, but they should all be making six figures, at least. They’re such a big brand,” one fan wrote.
“Pay them even more. It’s still too low!” another fan added.
“They need to be making more than that. They have such a massive following,” a third fan wrote.
“Pay them, Jerry!” one more fan chimed in.
The frustration seems to stem from the contrast fans keep pointing to: a franchise valued in the tens of billions, and cheerleaders who, even with the raise, are earning a small fraction of what a single star player makes in a season. Jones has never hesitated to pay his top talent. Whether that same logic extends further to the sideline remains a bigger question for fans than for the front office, at least for now.
The Cowboys cheerleaders will be back on the field when Dallas opens its season in Philadelphia, with their first home appearance following in Week 2 against the Giants.
