The NFL: Where Cheerleaders Earn Less Than Fast Food Workers
The topic of low pay for NFL cheerleaders is once again in the spotlight, following comments made in the new Netflix series, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Katherine Puryear revealed that she earned a salary comparable to that of a Chick-fil-A worker, sparking outrage and disbelief among fans.
Cheerleaders at an NFL game
The pay structure for cheerleaders is complex, with a flat fee paid for games, plus an hourly wage on game day. Practices are also paid hourly, and appearances at local events are a flat fee plus an hourly rate. However, these fees differ based on the cheerleader’s tenure with the team, which caps at five years.
According to a 2022 report from NBC Sports Boston, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders earned about $15-20 per hour or $500 per game, averaging out to $75,000 per year. This is significantly higher than other NFL cheerleading teams, with the average NFL cheerleader earning about $150 per game, or $22,500 per year.
Former NFL player Daniel Muir
In other NFL news, former NFL player Daniel Muir was arrested along with his wife, Kristin Muir, after their 14-year-old son was found safe and well in Indiana. The boy had been missing since June 16, and a Silver Alert was issued on June 28. Daniel Muir played for multiple teams during his NFL career, including four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
A packed stadium at an NFL game
The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry, with players earning millions of dollars per year. It is shocking, therefore, to learn that cheerleaders, who are an integral part of the NFL experience, earn so little. It is time for the NFL to take a closer look at its pay structure and ensure that all employees, including cheerleaders, are fairly compensated for their hard work.
