So, you might be wondering, what exactly do the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders take home? It's a question many folks have, especially when you think about how famous this group is. For a long time, the details about what these talented people earned were, you know, not really out in the open. But, as a matter of fact, some things have come to light over the past few years, giving us a much clearer picture of their pay.
It seems that the compensation for these entertainers has been a topic of much discussion, even leading to some significant changes. There was, in fact, a time when their earnings were quite low, which, you know, caused some real concern. This situation, in a way, prompted some members to speak up and seek improvements to their financial arrangements.
Today, the landscape of what a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader earns looks quite different from what it once was. There have been some rather substantial adjustments to their pay, reflecting, perhaps, a growing awareness of their value and the hard work they put in. We'll explore, you know, just how much these changes have impacted their hourly rates and what their annual income might look like now.
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Table of Contents
- Who Is Erica Wilkins and Her Role in Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary History?
- What Was the Initial Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Situation?
- How Did the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Compare to Others?
- The Push for Better Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary
- What Is the Current Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Looking Like?
- Veteran Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Estimates
- Insights from the Squad on Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary
- Future Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Expectations
Who Is Erica Wilkins and Her Role in Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary History?
So, there was this person, Erica Wilkins, who was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, and she, you know, actually brought a legal challenge against the team back in 2019. It seems that she felt the way they were being paid wasn't quite right, you know, not really fair. She, in fact, spoke about how the cheerleaders, at that point, were apparently receiving something like seven dollars for each hour they put in. This action of hers, as a matter of fact, played a pretty significant part in bringing the topic of what these cheerleaders earned into the public eye. Her decision to speak out, you know, really got people thinking about the compensation structure for such a well-known group. It was, in a way, a pivotal moment for the discussion around the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary. Her legal move, basically, put a spotlight on the financial conditions that these performers were working under, leading to a broader conversation about fairness in their pay.
Erica Wilkins - Related Details
Involvement | Brought a legal challenge against the Dallas Cowboys franchise. |
Year of Action | 2019 |
Reason for Action | Unfair pay practices. |
Claimed Hourly Pay | $7 per hour for cheerleaders. |
What Was the Initial Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Situation?
Before some of the more recent changes, the financial picture for a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader was, in some respects, quite different from what it is today. Based on reports, it seems that in 2022, these cheerleaders were typically earning somewhere around fifteen to twenty dollars for each hour they worked. When you add that up, you know, for a game, it came to about five hundred dollars. This amount, basically, contributed to their yearly income, which, you know, was roughly what you might expect given those hourly rates and game payments. It's important to remember that this was the situation just a couple of years ago, and, you know, things have certainly shifted since then. This early pay structure for the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary really shows how much the compensation has developed over a relatively short period. It also highlights the starting point from which the cheerleaders began to push for better conditions and more suitable earnings for their efforts.
How Did the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Compare to Others?
When you look at what other cheerleaders in the professional football world were making, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders' earnings, in a way, stood out a bit. For instance, while cheerleaders for the San Diego Chargers were getting seventy-five dollars for each game they performed, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders' earnings were, you know, on the higher side of what was common at that time. This suggests that even before the big pay increases, they were, in some respects, already earning more than some of their counterparts in other teams. However, it's also worth noting that, generally speaking, an average cheerleader in the professional football league was bringing in, you know, roughly one hundred fifty dollars for each game, according to what ESPN reported. So, while the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders might have been earning more than some specific teams, the overall average was still a point of comparison. This comparison, basically, helps to put the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary into a broader context of what was considered typical across the sport.
The Push for Better Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary
There has been a very clear and strong effort by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders to improve their financial situation. For example, in 2019, the group really fought for a raise in their game rates. As a matter of fact, their efforts paid off, and the amount they received for each game doubled, going from two hundred dollars to four hundred dollars at that point. This was, you know, a pretty significant jump and showed that their voices were being heard. More recently, in 2024, the second season of "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," which is out on Netflix, showed some of the more experienced squad members really pushing back on their agreements for the upcoming season. This suggests an ongoing desire for better terms. Kristin Westbrook, who used to be a member, also shared some insights on a social media platform, which, you know, added to the public discussion about their earnings. All these actions, basically, highlight a consistent and determined effort by the cheerleaders to secure a more equitable Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary. It shows that they are, in a way, actively involved in shaping their own financial future with the team.
What Is the Current Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Looking Like?
So, the good news is that the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are now receiving a pretty substantial increase in their earnings, a big jump of about four hundred percent. This means their pay has, you know, really changed quite a bit. It's been reported that they are likely earning a base amount of around seventy-five dollars for each hour they work. When you factor in this significant raise, it suggests that their annual income could be, in some respects, over one hundred fifty thousand dollars. This new figure comes after they successfully secured that four hundred percent increase, which is, you know, a rather impressive gain. Megan McElaney, who is a member of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, actually confirmed their new earnings, including that four hundred percent raise. However, she did mention that the actual amount is, you know, less than some people might imagine, despite the big percentage jump. This provides a more nuanced picture of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary, showing a huge improvement but also tempering expectations a little bit. It's a clear indication that their efforts for better pay have, basically, yielded some very positive results.
Veteran Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Estimates
For those cheerleaders who have been with the squad for a while, the financial outlook has, you know, really improved quite a lot. It's now estimated that experienced cheerleaders could be earning around one hundred fifty thousand dollars each year. This is a very significant increase from what they were reportedly making before, which was, in some respects, only fifteen dollars for each hour. This substantial jump in earnings for seasoned members of the team really shows the impact of the recent pay adjustments. It means that dedicating multiple years to the squad can now lead to a much more financially rewarding experience. This kind of income for veteran cheerleaders is, basically, a testament to the ongoing discussions and pushes for better compensation. It also reflects the idea that, as the saying goes, "everything is bigger in Texas," and that, you know, now seems to apply to the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary too. This improved pay structure for veterans acknowledges their dedication and the value they bring to the team and its brand.
Insights from the Squad on Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary
It's not often that current or former Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders speak openly about what they earn, so when they do, it's, you know, pretty interesting. Ms. McLean, for instance, shared with "The Times" that in 2024, which was her fifth year with the group, she had some specific details about her compensation. This kind of direct information from someone actually on the squad is, in a way, quite valuable for understanding the true financial picture. Jada, another cheerleader, also provided information to "The Times," further adding to the public knowledge about their earnings. These glimpses behind the curtain, basically, help to paint a more complete picture of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary. It's not just about the numbers reported, but also the personal accounts of those who are actually living it. The recent Netflix show, "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," chronicles a season with this famous squad, and, you know, it offers some insights into their lives, including, perhaps, some hints about their financial situations. These personal accounts and media portrayals help to humanize the numbers and provide a better grasp of what it means to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader from a pay perspective.
Future Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Salary Expectations
Looking ahead, it seems that the earnings for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders might continue to be a topic of discussion and potential adjustment. With the recent substantial pay raise, including that four hundred percent increase expected in 2025, it suggests an ongoing commitment to better compensation. The fact that the squad members, particularly the more experienced ones, are, you know, actively pushing back on their agreements, as shown in the Netflix series, indicates that they are engaged in shaping their financial future. This kind of advocacy from within the group itself is, basically, a strong sign that they will continue to work towards fair and suitable earnings. The journey of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader salary, from past legal challenges to recent significant raises, shows a clear trend towards improved financial recognition for their contributions. It's fair to say that the conversation around what these talented individuals earn is likely to keep evolving, as they continue to perform and represent such a well-known organization.


