Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Receive Huge 400% Pay Bump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are receiving a substantial 400% raise, a milestone achieved after years of advocating for fair compensation. This follows a 2019 lawsuit that doubled their per-game pay and last year’s high-profile settlement concerning invasion of privacy.

Cheerleader Pay Raise + Quick Looks:
- Cowboys cheerleaders awarded a life-changing 400% pay raise.
- Per-game pay rising from $400 to $2,000.
- Series “America’s Sweethearts” highlights the effort behind the victory.
- 2019 lawsuit previously doubled per-game pay from $200 to $400.
- 2022 settlement of $2.4 million stemmed from privacy violation claims.
- PR exec involved retired before claims surfaced.
- Dallas Cowboys valued at $10.1 billion—ensuring strong financial backing.
- Cheerleaders voice relief and validation over long fight.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Receive Huge 400% Pay Bump
Deep Look
In a groundbreaking move, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have secured a 400% pay increase, marking a monumental win after years-long efforts to earn fair compensation. The raise, revealed during the second season of Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders,” will elevate their per-game pay from $400 to approximately $2,000.
Veteran cheerleader Megan McElaney described the award-winning moment as “life-changing,” noting it came after persistent campaigning. “Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise… we ended up getting a 400% increase,” she said on the show.
This fight dates back to a 2019 lawsuit, which resulted in a doubling of pay from $200 to $400 per game. A further turning point occurred with a $2.4 million settlement, awarded to four cheerleaders in 2022 after claims that the Cowboys’ former PR chief, Rich Dalrymple, had secretly recorded them in the locker room. Dalrymple, who denied wrongdoing, retired before the settlement was finalized.
Despite those challenges, cheerleaders like Jada McLean express profound relief and pride: “Happy isn’t even the right word… finally, we were done fighting.” Their victory is backed by the franchise’s financial muscle—according to Forbes, the Cowboys remain the world’s most valuable sports team at $10.1 billion.
The unprecedented pay raise not only corrects a historical undervaluing of cheerleaders but also underscores the growing recognition of their professionalism and dedication. It marks a significant milestone in the ongoing movement for fair wages within sports and entertainment.
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