Overview

• Cheerleaders’ hourly pay will rise from $15 to about $75 and game fees will increase proportionally after the 400% boost.
• Negotiations were led by veterans such as Jada McLean and Megan McElaney, who bypassed director-level talks to work with the team’s legal and HR departments.
• The raise is expected to ease the financial pressure that previously forced many squad members to hold two or more side jobs during the season.
• Squad members remain classified as part-time employees without full salaries or health insurance, though they retain access to the Cowboys’ doctor and physical therapist.
• Most cheerleaders maintain diverse careers—from law-firm billing directors to pilates instructors—underscoring the ongoing demands beyond their on-field duties.