“So you see a lot of that inequality”: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders unionize after years of pay disputes as collective bargaining begins

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have taken a major step in their fight for better pay. Recently, the Cowboys agreed to recognize the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as the squad’s collective bargaining representative. The decision gives the cheerleaders a formal voice in negotiations with the NFL franchise after years of debate over their compensation.The move comes after the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders brought their working lives and financial struggles to a wider audience. While the squad received a major pay increase in 2025, union recognition opens a new chapter in its push for better workplace terms. Dallas Cowboys recognize cheerleaders’ union after years of pay concernsThe Cowboys and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association announced the agreement in a joint statement on Friday. The statement praised the squad’s talent and dedication and described the cheerleaders as an important part of the organization.The recognition clears the way for collective bargaining, which allows representatives to negotiate employment terms on behalf of the group. However, the announcement did not outline a new pay deal or confirm specific benefits. Those details will depend on negotiations between the two sides.The development follows years of scrutiny over cheerleader compensation. In 2018, former Cowboys cheerleader Erica Wilkins filed a lawsuit over her pay. The case ended in a 2019 settlement that doubled the squad’s per-game pay from $200 to $400.That increase marked a significant change, but it did not end questions about how much cheerleaders earned for their work. Their responsibilities extend beyond performing during NFL games, with rehearsals, appearances and other duties also demanding time and effort.Virginia Commonwealth University professor Victor Chen, who studies labor issues as a sociologist said that Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders were likely helped by having such a high profile and the Netflix show.He also said that without that the team may have just tried to replace the cheerleaders because there are many people who would take jobs in the entertainment industry at low pay“So you see a lot of that inequality of compensation in any sort of artistic or entertainment field where you have lots of people clamoring to get into it and maybe being unpaid or very poorly paid to do so,” Chen said.Netflix series put Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ pay fight in spotlightThe second season of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which aired in 2025, brought fresh attention to the squad’s pay negotiations.During the series, a cheerleader said members had received a 400% pay increase. The raise followed negotiations over compensation and represented another major jump after the 2019 settlement.Reports surrounding the 2025 increase highlighted how sharply cheerleader pay had changed over several years. Still, the raise and the newly recognized union represent two separate developments. The earlier increase improved compensation, while union recognition creates a formal structure for future negotiations.The Cowboys are one of the most valuable franchises in professional sports, according to Forbes. Their cheerleaders also enjoy international recognition, strengthened by decades of performances and the Netflix series. Yet the squad’s popularity has not removed questions about compensation and working conditions.The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are not the first NFL cheerleading squad to pursue union representation. The Buffalo Jills, who cheered for the Buffalo Bills, won the right to unionize in 1995. The squad later disbanded after a 2014 lawsuit raised allegations involving unpaid work and sexual harassment.After years of pay disputes and a major increase in 2025, the cheerleaders now have a formal route to negotiate their employment terms. What comes out of those talks will determine how much the union changes their working lives.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.