Cowboys Cheerleaders: 400% Pay Raise Reportedly Approved
- FRISCO, Texas-The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are celebrating a significant pay increase after years of advocating for fair compensation.
- A cheerleader revealed on the Netflix series "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders" that squad members are receiving a 400% boost in pay.
- Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran, noted the impact of the raise.
Breaking news: Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are experiencing a life-changing victory! They’ve secured a monumental 400% pay increase following years of dedicated advocacy and a prior settlement. The increase was revealed on “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders,” and signifies a new chapter for the squad. This notable raise comes amidst the Cowboys’ status as a $10.1 billion institution. This landmark achievement is a testament to their hard work and the evolving value of their role. News Directory 3 is on top of this developing story. The impact of this raise is undeniable. Discover what’s next for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and the future of fair compensation in professional cheerleading.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Celebrate 400% Pay Increase
Updated June 18, 2025
FRISCO, Texas-The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are celebrating a significant pay increase after years of advocating for fair compensation. The cheerleaders’ role within the association and their contribution to the team’s image have long been debated, making this raise a meaningful victory.
A cheerleader revealed on the Netflix series “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders” that squad members are receiving a 400% boost in pay. This increase follows a 2019 settlement where the Cowboys doubled the per-game pay from $200 to $400.
Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran, noted the impact of the raise. “Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,” McElaney said on the show. “And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing.”
In a separate incident nine years ago, the Cowboys paid $2.4 million to settle claims from four cheerleaders who alleged that Rich Dalrymple, the team’s former public relations chief, filmed them in the dressing room. Dalrymple denied the allegations, and the team’s inquiry found no evidence of wrongdoing. Dalrymple retired shortly before the settlement became public in 2022.
The Dallas Cowboys, valued at $10.1 billion last year, have held the title of the world’s most valuable professional sports team for nearly a decade, according to Forbes magazine.
Jada McLean, a former cheerleader, expressed relief at the outcome. “Happy’ isn’t even the right word for it,” McLean said on the show. “I think I was just … kind of felt, like, a relief, like everything had paid off. And it was, you know, we were done fighting.”
What’s next
the pay increase marks a new chapter for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, perhaps setting a precedent for other professional cheerleading squads seeking fair compensation and recognition for their role.