From their iconic blue and white, star-spangled uniform to the bouncy blowouts and famed jump splits, the DCC are undeniable superstars. The original DCC squad was formed in 1961 and featured teenagers from the local high school dancing in their school uniforms. Today, the team has thousands of applications every year from girls across the world who long to be thrust into a spiral of glitz and glam and don those famous cowboy boots.
But being a DCC isn’t without hardship. The America’s Sweethearts documentary released on Netflix last year highlighted some of the struggles the DCC face. The team are plagued by extreme physical injuries (such as hip dysplasia and torn ACLs) alongside having their bodies and looks constantly scrutinised all whilst working in a high-pressure environment on one of the largest stages in America. It was also revealed in the documentary that the cheerleaders are expected to handwash their own uniforms and boots after every game, despite regularly working back-to-back 12-hour shifts.
Oh, and they only get paid minimum wage too.
These girls demanded to be respected, and their calls were finally heard.
Up until this summer, the cheerleaders were only paid $15 an hour, meaning many DCC have to work full time jobs to support themselves alongside their commitments to the Cowboys. Despite the Cowboys organisation being worth $13 billion, the cheerleaders are paid like a “minimum wage Chick-Fil-A worker” and have a “full time commitment but part time pay” as described by ex DCC Kat Puryear. However, the documentary also showed cheerleaders Jada McLean, Megan McElaney and Amanda Howard leading a campaign, alongside the rest of the 24-25 DCC squad, for higher pay.
Through months-long severe negotiations with the Cowboys management and organised walkouts in protest, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders gained a 400% pay rise. Their bravery and dedication sparked conversations and discussions, alongside similar movements, for fair pay and better workplace protections amongst cheerleaders on other NFL teams.
These girls demanded to be respected, and their calls were finally heard. Their impact is unquestionable. They have made it easier for the future generations of cheerleaders to dance and perform without needing to worry about how they will support themselves. They’ve showed that professional cheerleading and professional dance is not just a part time gig but an athlete’s job that deserve just as much credit as the football players that they cheer on. As Jada McLean put it, “We do a damn good job at being cheerleaders.” And they do. These girls can do it all and now they are finally getting the compensation that they deserve.