One of America’s most famous cheerleading squads in pro sports has formed a union.
It’s the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association, the collective bargaining representative for the NFL’s original dance performers.
The NFL franchise and the union said in a joint statement Friday that the recognition followed a “meaningful discussion.”
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“The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are an esteemed part of the Cowboys organization, deeply respected for the talent and dedication they exhibit,” the statement said. “They remain one of the most sought-after opportunities for talented dancers worldwide.”
No contract terms or bargaining dates have been released. If negotiations succeed, the squad would be the NFL’s first to reach a contract.
The Buffalo Bills’ cheerleading squad, the Buffalo Jills, voted to unionize in 1995, but the effort dissolved a year later. The Dallas rendition is the only other NFL squad to try to unionize.
The recognition follows years of advocacy by squad members over pay and working conditions.
In the second season of the Netflix series “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” which aired in 2025, cheerleader Megan McElaney said the squad received a 400% pay increase. The team did not disclose the exact amount at the time, NBC News reported.
Before the raise, former cheerleader Jada McLean told The New York Times she made $15 an hour and $500 per appearance, based on experience.
After the increase, veteran cheerleaders could earn more than $75 an hour, NBC News reported.
The Cowboys are the most valuable NFL franchise at $17 billion, according to Forbes’ 2026 league valuations.
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