For decades, the Dallas Cowboys treated their cheerleaders like a nice extra, not a key part of the business. That ended on Friday, Oct. 23. The team officially recognized the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association (DCCA) as the official union for the squad. The Cowboys and the cheerleaders are now set to begin collective bargaining talks. It is a win the fans should cheer because it finally matches the team’s massive global brand with fair treatment for its stars.
A Long Time Coming
Let’s be honest: the pay gap was ugly for a long time. Reports show that before 2025, these dancers made roughly $15 an hour with a game rate starting at $400. That is nothing for the most famous dance crew in sports. A former dancer even filed a fair wage case back in 2018. According to reports on that lawsuit, a three-year veteran named Erica Wilkins earned only about $16,000 in her best season. The team’s multi-billion dollar valuation made those numbers look even worse. The Netflix docuseries “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” put this financial struggle right in front of the whole world, according to Yahoo Sports.
Things started to change in 2025 when the squad secured a reported 400 percent pay raise. That move pushed veteran pay up to $75 an hour. But money alone was not enough. The dancers needed a voice to protect their future. The DCCA functions as the independent labor union for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. With the team’s acknowledgment, the DCCA is set to handle contract negotiations for the cheerleaders. The press release from the organization says the squad is “deeply respected for the talent and dedication they exhibit.”
The real test starts now that the union is recognized. While collective bargaining is scheduled to start between the two parties, no specifics regarding the timeline or topics of the upcoming discussions were disclosed by either side. The Cowboys called the cheerleaders “an esteemed part of the Cowboys organization” in their joint statement, according to Yahoo Sports. They also noted that the squad remains “one of the most sought-after opportunities for talented dancers worldwide.” Those are high bars to clear.
This move could change the whole NFL. The Buffalo Bills’ group, known as the “Jills,” was the first to win a union ruling back in 1995, but they disbanded in 2014. The DCC could now pave the way for other NFL cheerleading squads to do the same. The Cowboys have always set the standard for the league. If they can strike a fair deal with their own dancers, other teams will have to do the same. The squad has a lot of history and cultural relevance. Their iconic blue-and-white uniforms are immortal in sports history. It is time their pay and benefits matched that legacy.
