Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Unionize After Long Battle For Pay

Official recognition for the squad

The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to recognize the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as the collective bargaining representative for their cheer squad. Both sides released a joint statement on Friday to announce the agreement.

This decision comes after years of cheerleaders pushing for higher pay. The squad is widely known as one of the most famous cheer groups in professional sports.

In the joint statement, the organization called the cheerleaders an esteemed part of the Cowboys team, deeply respected for the talent and dedication they exhibit. The statement added that joining the squad remains one of the most sought after opportunities for talented dancers worldwide.

History of pay increases

Pay has been a major topic for the cheerleaders over the last few years. In 2019, the Dallas Cowboys settled a legal case with a former squad member. That lawsuit settlement led to the franchise doubling the per game pay for cheerleaders from $200 to $400.

Further details about squad compensation were shared in the second season of the Netflix series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, which aired last year. On that show, one of the squad members said that members were getting a 400 percent boost in pay.

The raise announced in 2025 was four times the previous amount. On Friday, a contact for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association could not immediately be found.

Wealth of the franchise

The decision to unionize happens at a time when the team holds massive financial power. According to Forbes magazine, the Dallas Cowboys have been the most valuable pro sports team in the world.

Now, the cheerleaders will use their new association to handle future collective bargaining discussions with team management.