Latest news with #DallasCowboyCheerleaders
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders get 400% pay raise
America's sweethearts are getting a raise. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders secured a pay raise of approximately 400% for the 2025 season. The pay bump is revealed in episode 7 ("Saturn Returns") of the second season of "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders," which began streaming on Netflix June 18. In the episode, Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran of the team, speaks to the camera, telling the audience there are "new changes" this season. "Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise," McElaney says. "And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing." "'Happy' isn't even the right word for it," former cheerleader Jada McLean says separately. "I think I was just... kind of felt, like, a relief -- like everything had paid off. And it was, you know, finally, we were done fighting." "We pushed, and we got back good results," fellow team member Armani Latimer adds. When reached by ABC News about the matter, the Dallas Cowboys said, "We're pleased, as you'll see in the series, that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were happy with the outcome." In September 2019, the Cowboys settled a lawsuit with former cheerleader Erica Wilkins and doubled the cheerleaders' game-day pay from $200 to $400. The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most valuable NFL teams in the league. Forbes ranked the organization as the No. 1 richest league at over $10 billion in 2024.
Cosmopolitan
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders get 400% "life changing" pay increase after bargaining in season 2
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders is officially back on Netflix for season 2, and we have one question: is the team finally making a livable wage? Answer: Yes! And it was extremely hard won. Amid the DCC's low wages being exposed last season, the team entered this season and attempted to negotiate their contract together - an effort that was spearheaded by Jada, Amanda, Armani, Kleine, Marissa, and Megan. Unfortunately, the meeting (which wasn't on camera) with execs didn't go well. The team even briefly considered a walk-out, but their plans were leaked and they were unable to negotiate more money for the 2024 season. However, Season 2 ended with some good news: Kelli told the dancers (specifically Jada, Armani, and Megan) that everyone was getting raises. Specifically, 400% percent raises. As Armani (who was retiring that year) put it, "I love the fact that I made change for the girls that are coming up behind me, even if I'm not getting a chance to benefit. As a reminder: last season, former cheerleader Kat revealed that DCC paid her the same amount as a full-time Chick-fil-A worker (around $37,947/ £28,000). Viewers were obviously shocked, especially when Dallas Cowboys owner and Chief Brand Officer, Charlotte Jones, straight up said "There's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders - and as it should be. They're not paid a lot. But the facts are is that they actually don't come here for the money. They come here for something that's actually bigger than that to them. They have a passion for dance." Assuming that aforementioned $37,949 is accurate, the team is now making somewhere around $151,000 (£112,000) with a 400% raise. Glad the DCC dancers are finally being paid a salary commensurate to their talent! America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders season 2 is available to stream on Netflix now.
Cosmopolitan
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get 400% Pay Increase in Season 2
America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders is officially back on Netflix for season 2, and we have one question: is the team finally making a livable wage? Answer: Yes! And it was extremely hard won. Amid the DCC's low wages being exposed last season, the team entered this season and attempted to negotiate their contract together—an effort that was spearheaded by Jada, Amanda, Armani, Kleine, Marissa, and Megan. Unfortunately, the meeting (which wasn't on camera) with execs didn't go well. The team even briefly considered a walk-out, but their plans were leaked and they were unable to negotiate more money for the 2024 season. However, Season 2 ended with some good news: Kelli told the dancers (specifically Jada, Armani, and Megan) that everyone was getting raises. Specifically, 400% percent raises. As Armani (who was retiring that year) put it, "I love the fact that I made change for the girls that are coming up behind me, even if I'm not getting a chance to benefit. As a reminder: last season, former cheerleader Kat revealed that DCC paid her the same amount as a full-time Chick-fil-A worker (around $37,947). Viewers were obviously shocked, especially when Dallas Cowboys owner and Chief Brand Officer, Charlotte Jones, straight up said "There's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders—and as it should be. They're not paid a lot. But the facts are is that they actually don't come here for the money. They come here for something that's actually bigger than that to them. They have a passion for dance." Assuming that aforementioned $37,949 is accurate, the team is now making somewhere around $151,000 with a 400% raise. Glad the DCC dancers are finally being paid a salary commensurate to their talent!
