yahoo
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have achieved a significant milestone by unionizing, with the NFL organization agreeing to acknowledge the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as their collective bargaining representative. This development, announced in a joint statement on Friday, marks the culmination of persistent advocacy for improved wages by one of the most renowned cheerleading groups in professional sports.
The joint statement emphasized the cheerleaders' valued role within the Cowboys organization, noting that they are esteemed for their talent and dedication. It also highlighted that the squad remains one of the most coveted opportunities for skilled dancers globally.
In the second season of the Netflix series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which premiered last year, a cheerleader revealed that members had received a 400% increase in pay. This raise followed a 2019 settlement with a former cheerleader that resulted in doubling the per-game pay from $200 to $400. The 2025 raise was four times that amount.
Attempts to reach a representative for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association on Friday were unsuccessful.
The Cowboys have been ranked as the most valuable professional sports team in the world by Forbes magazine.
Key Analysis
The unionization of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association represents a notable shift in labor relations within professional sports, particularly for cheerleading squads that have historically faced compensation challenges. The recognition by the Cowboys organization underscores the growing momentum for fair pay and collective bargaining in niche areas of the sports industry. With the team's high valuation and global prominence, this move could set a precedent for other organizations to reevaluate their treatment of cheerleaders and similar groups.
Originally reported by yahoo.