The Dallas Cowboys and their cheer squad have reached an agreement to form a formal bargaining association. This move, announced Friday, addresses long-standing disputes over how the performers are paid.
The $400 per-game benchmark and the 2019 settlement
The Dallas Cowboys organization has long faced scrutiny regarding the financial compensation of its cheerleaders. As reported by the source, a 2019 lawsuit settlement previously compelled the NFL franchise to double the per-game pay for its members to US$400.
This historical settlement serves as a foundation for the current unionization efforts. while the $400 figure was a significant increase at the time, the move toward formal collective bargaining suggests that the squad is seeking more permanent and structured financial protections beyond individual legal settlements. In a joint statement, the Dallas Cowboys described the cheerleaders as an "esteemed part" of the organization, noting their talent and dedication.
How Netflix's *America's Sweethearts* amplified the fight
Increased public visibility through the Netflix series America's Sweethearts:Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders likely acted as a catalyst for this labor milestone.. Victor Chen, a sociology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, noted that the high profile of the squad provided a level of notoriety that is often missing in entertainment labor disputes.
According to Chen, the Dallas Cowboys' status as the most valuable professional sports team in the world—a distinction noted by Forbes magazine—makes the issue of pay equity particularly visible. Without the cultural momentum provided by the Netflix show, Chen suggested the team might have simply attempted to replace the cheerleaders with lower-paid workers rather than negotiating with a recognized association. He noted that such inequality is common in artistic fields where many people compete for poorly paid roles.
A historical parallel to the Buffalo Jills' 1995 union
The formation of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association follows a precedent set by the Buffalo Jills of the Buffalo Bills. In 1995, the Jills successfully won a ruling from the National Labor Relations Board that allowed them to establish the National Football League Cheerleaders Association.
However, the hsitory of cheerleading labor is also marked by significant hardship. The Buffalo Jills eventually disbanded in 2014 following a lawsuit from former members who alleged they worked hundreds of hours for free and were subjected to sexual harassment. This history highlights the high stakes and potential volatility involved in organizing labor within professional dance squads.
What specific contract terms remain unconfirmed for the squad?
While the joint statement from the Dallas Cowboys and the cheerleaders celebrates the recognition of the new association, several critical details remain unverified. The report does not specify what the new collective bargaining agreement will cover , such as specific salary increases, health benefits, or working hour protections.
Furthermore, the source only provides the perspective of the joint announcement, leaving it unclear if there are lingering tensions regarding the specific terms of the recognition. it remains to be seen whether the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association will be able to address the systemic "inequality of compensation" that Professor Chen identified as a common issue in the broader entertainment industry.
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