Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ 400% Raise Highlights Stark Pay Gap for Female Athletes
In a significant and long-overdue move, the iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders recently received a 400% pay raise, a moment of celebration that simultaneously casts a glaring light on the broader issue of gender-based pay disparity in sports. While the cheerleaders’ raise has been praised across the board as a necessary and deserved recognition of their labor, talent, and commitment, it also forces a conversation about the financial inequalities that still persist for women in athletics more broadly.
The raise, which increases their game-day pay from approximately $200 to $500 and boosts their hourly rates for practices and appearances, comes after years of underpayment for one of the most recognized and professionalized cheer squads in the world. Despite their status as global ambassadors for the NFL and pop culture icons, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders were previously earning less than minimum wage when factoring in the time spent at rehearsals, community events, media appearances, and game-day performances.
Their new compensation package is a sign of progress, and a result of persistent advocacy and changing public sentiment about how we value women’s labor. However, the fact that a 400% raise was necessary to achieve a remotely fair wage reveals just how stark the underpayment was—and how systemic the issue remains across the sports industry.
This moment also comes at a time when women’s professional sports leagues are gaining unprecedented visibility and success. The WNBA, for instance, is breaking attendance records and seeing record viewership across national broadcasts. Caitlin Clark’s rise to superstardom has energized fans and sponsors alike. Yet, even the league’s top stars earn a fraction of what their NBA counterparts make. For example, Clark’s rookie salary is just over $76,000—about what some NBA players make in a single quarter of play.
Across other sports, similar patterns emerge. Professional women’s soccer players fought lengthy legal battles just to secure equal pay with their male counterparts. Female athletes in sports like hockey, tennis (outside of Grand Slam parity), and track and field face steep disparities in prize money, endorsement opportunities, and infrastructure support.
The Cowboys cheerleaders’ raise also sheds light on how women in supportive or entertainment roles around men’s sports are undervalued despite their critical contributions to the brand, experience, and culture. Their roles require athleticism, discipline, charisma, and professionalism, yet for decades, compensation never reflected that.
This landmark pay adjustment should serve as a wake-up call—not just to NFL teams, but to every sports organization, advertiser, and media outlet. Paying women fairly isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s a necessary investment in the future of sports.
As women’s roles in athletics continue to evolve—from cheerleaders to MVPs, from referees to team owners—the conversation must shift from token support to tangible equity. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ raise is a start. But real progress will come when every woman in sports, regardless of her role, is paid what she’s worth.
