The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have officially unionized following years of disputes over low wages and working conditions.
In 2018, former cheerleader Erica Wilkins launched a federal fair wage lawsuit against the NFL’s most valuable franchise, the Dallas Cowboys, over unfair wages. She said she averaged $15,000 per season and less than the team’s male mascot.
A settlement in 2019 saw the squad’s per-game pay double from $200 to $400. The issue then resurfaced in the Netflix’s documentary ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ with the squad securing a 400% pay increase for the 2025 season. Now, the squad has officially unionized.
The Cowboys released a joint statement with the union
The Dallas Cowboys have officially recognized the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association (DCCA) as the squad’s collective bargaining representative and released a joint statement as a result.
“The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are an esteemed part of the Cowboys organization, deeply respected for the talent and dedication they exhibit,” the statement reads. “They remain one of the most sought-after opportunities for talented dancers worldwide.”
The agreement follows what both parties described as “meaningful discussions.” It allows the cheerleaders to collectively negotiate wages, benefits and working conditions within the Cowboys franchise.
As per AP News, Virginia Commonwealth University professor Victor Chen said that the cheerleaders were likely aided by the high-profile Netflix show. Chen said that the Cowboys may have tried to replace them if it were not for their notoriety as personalities.
The Cowboys are not the first NFL franchise with a unionized cheerleading squad. The Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, known as the Buffalo Jills, unionized in 1995. However, the squad disbanded in 2014 following a lawsuit alleging unpaid work and mistreatment.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
