Exploring NFL Cheerleader Salaries: How Much Do They Really Earn?
Inside the NFL: Financial Scale and Cheerleader Compensation
The National Football League is synonymous with blockbuster revenues, boasting $18 billion in earnings for the 2021/22 season. While players and coaching staff claim lucrative shares under the league’s nearly even split with athletes, one group garners far less attention and pay: the NFL cheerleaders. Despite their visibility and demands on game day, their financial rewards lag far behind the league’s top earners. Let’s unpack the numbers and realities behind NFL cheerleader salaries.
Average Earnings for NFL Cheerleaders
NFL cheerleaders earn significantly less than other roles associated with professional football. The typical annual income for an NFL cheerleader sits at about $22,500—less than half the U.S. average salary, which was $54,132 in 2022. Pay ranges do exist; for instance, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, one of the most celebrated squads in the league, reportedly make as much as $75,000 per year.
However, the broader average remains surprisingly low, especially when compared to other support staff—like NFL waterboys, who average around $53,000 annually. What’s more, cheerleaders undertake intensive commitments: a typical week can involve over 30 hours of practice, travel demands, and early arrival times, with some arriving at stadiums up to five hours before kickoff.
Understanding Low Pay: Employment Status and Legal Action
One major reason for the low wages is the classification of cheerleaders as independent contractors rather than direct employees of NFL teams. This has historically led to pay that sometimes didn’t even meet minimum wage requirements. In one well-publicized case, a former cheerleader revealed that after expenses, her entire income for an entire season in 2006 amounted to just $300.
Legal action eventually brought this issue to the forefront. Lacy Thibodeaux-Fields, formerly of the Oakland Raiders’ Raiderettes, sued the organization in 2014 for wage violations. The result was a $1.25-million settlement and significant improvements in contractual terms for the Raiderettes—which included hourly wages above the minimum threshold and overtime compensation.
This legal win was profiled in the 2019 documentary, A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem, and sparked similar lawsuits across the league. As a result, many squads now receive at least minimum wage, though overall compensation is still meager when compared to the broader NFL payroll.
Super Bowl and Playoff Compensation: Do Cheerleaders Receive Bonuses?
Unlike players and coaches, NFL cheerleaders do not receive large bonuses for making it to the Super Bowl or playoffs. Following the Raiderettes’ successful lawsuit, it was confirmed that they would be compensated for all hours worked, including overtime. Still, these rates were typically pegged to minimum wage, not performance or prestige bonuses. Therefore, participating in marquee events like the playoffs or the Super Bowl is unlikely to result in significant extra pay.
Path to the Pom-Poms: How Hard Is It to Become an NFL Cheerleader?
The journey to joining an NFL cheer squad is a highly selective and challenging process, despite the modest salaries. Applicants must:
– Be at least 18 years old
– Hold a high school diploma or GED
– Commit to the full NFL season, which stretches from August to February
– Be available for all home games and potential playoff appearances
– Attend weekly practices and official events
– Successfully pass a background check
Once these requirements are met, hopefuls face rigorous tryouts. Hundreds of candidates are evaluated on dance technique, stage presence, personality, and other criteria, but only 50–60 typically make a squad. Almost all successful applicants have extensive backgrounds in high school or college cheerleading or dance, underscoring the competitive standards.
Why Pursue NFL Cheerleading?
Despite the less-than-stellar financial incentives, the allure of NFL cheerleading remains powerful. Each year, thousands audition for a coveted spot. For many, the position offers exposure, potential career opportunities in performance, and a certain level of fame. The prestige linked to cheering for an NFL team and the friendships formed within squads can make the experience rewarding beyond the paycheck.
Lead image: Rajiv Perera/Unsplash
