Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders form union and prepare to negotiate with team
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have formed a union after years of seeking better pay.
The Cowboys recognized the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as the squad’s collective bargaining representative.
The team and the association are now set to begin contract negotiations.
The squad, established in 1961, is widely known and has been featured in the Netflix series *America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders*.
Pay has drawn scrutiny for years, and some cheerleaders have said they held other full-time jobs to cover their bills.
A 2024 contract raised some members’ hourly rate from $15 to $75, but it did not provide health insurance; the new negotiations will address their working terms.
The Dallas Cowboys have recognized the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as the squad’s collective bargaining representative.
The union and the team are set to begin collective bargaining.
The recognition followed years of public scrutiny and efforts by cheerleaders to secure better pay.
The squad received a reported 400% pay increase before the union was recognized.
- Who
- The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association and the Dallas Cowboys.
- What
- The team recognized the association as the cheerleaders’ collective bargaining representative. The parties are set to begin collective bargaining.
- When
- Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Dallas, Texas.
- Why
- The move followed years of efforts by cheerleaders to secure better pay.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cheerleader Erica Wilkins filed a federal fair-wage lawsuit against the Cowboys, according to the Guardian.
The Cowboys settled a lawsuit with a former cheerleader, and per-game pay doubled from $200 to $400, according to ESPN.
The cheerleaders received a reported 400% pay increase.
The Cowboys recognized the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as the squad’s collective bargaining representative.
- Union
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association (DCCA)
- Recognition date
- October 23, 2026
- Next step
- Collective bargaining between the DCCA and the Cowboys
- Pay increase
- Reported 400% raise
- Squad size
- 36 members, according to the Guardian
5 sources
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders unionize, will collectively bargain with team
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders unionize after years of fighting for fair pay
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders win right to unionize in battle for higher pay after hit Netflix series
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders unionize, will begin collective bargaining
What people are saying
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are an esteemed part of the Cowboys organization, deeply respected for the talent and dedication they exhibit
They remain one of the most sought-after opportunities for talented dancers worldwide
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NEWS: the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders have unionized and the Cowboys have agreed to recognize the union