The Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders has shone a spotlight on the hardworking cheerleaders during the NFL offseason. But have you ever stopped to think about how much these spirited fans actually earn?
Well, the truth might surprise you.
NFL cheerleaders operate as contract workers, meaning they aren't full-time team employees and don't receive a fixed salary. Instead, they are compensated on a per-game or hourly basis.
That's why you see cheerleaders like Kelcey Wetterberg, a group leader and pediatric nurse, and rookie Reece Allman, who works at a flower shop, juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet.
While Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders reportedly earn more than the league average, the figures might not be as glamorous as you'd expect.
So, how much do NFL cheerleaders actually make?
Contrary to popular belief, the numbers vary. While rumors suggest Cowboys cheerleaders rake in around $75,000 annually, the reality seems different, as revealed by former cheerleaders on America’s Sweethearts.
Former Cowboys cheerleader Kat Puryear candidly shared, "I would say I’m making, like, a substitute teacher [salary]. I would say I’m making, like, a full-time Chick-fil-A worker."
According to a 2017 ESPN report, NFL cheerleaders earned an average of $150 per game, with additional compensation for practice time and public appearances, totaling around $22,500 per year. However, Cowboys cheerleaders reportedly earned a more substantial $500 per game, as per a 2022 report from NBC Boston.
But here's the catch – earning that money comes at a price. The grueling hours and demanding schedules showcased in the docuseries shed light on the dedication and sacrifices these cheerleaders make.
Despite the speculation, even the series director remains uncertain about the exact earnings of cheerleaders.
Greg Whiteley, the series director, admitted, "I think that’s because it varies depending on how senior you are in the group. You may even get paid more if you’re a group leader, though that was never clear to me."
The financial struggles of NFL cheerleaders came to the forefront when former Oakland Raiders cheerleader Lacy Thibodeaux-Fields filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL in 2014, citing wage theft and gender discrimination. She claimed to have earned a mere $1,250 for the season, only being compensated for performance hours, not the extensive practice time.
Following suit, a former Buffalo Bills cheerleader sued the league, revealing she made a paltry $105 for the season while having to shell out $600 for her uniform.
By 2020, a staggering 10 NFL franchises faced lawsuits from their cheerleaders, as reported by The Guardian.
Thibodeaux-Fields' lawsuit prompted a US Department of Labor investigation, exposing that Raiders cheerleaders were earning a meager $5 per hour, well below California's $8 minimum wage at the time.
While cheerleaders struggle to make ends meet, the players enjoy hefty paychecks. For instance, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is set to earn $65.7 million in 2024, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL. In contrast, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will pocket $17.1 million, and the league's minimum salary stands at $795,000.
On the other hand, other game-day staff, like waterboys, take home between $50,000 to $60,000 annually, as reported by Pro Football Network. Unlike cheerleaders, these staff members are full-time employees entitled to benefits, holidays, and other perks.
Similarly, mascots also earn around $60,000 per year, according to Pro Football Network.
As the NFL season unfolds, it's essential to recognize the disparity in earnings between different roles within the game-day operations. While players command substantial salaries, cheerleaders often struggle to make a living wage, sparking debates on fair compensation and gender equality in the league.
