The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) are at the center of the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The show chronicles the journey from auditions through training camp and into the NFL season, offering an inside look at both the demanding world of professional cheerleading and the personal lives of the squad members. Season 2 premiered on June 18, 2025.

Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the cheerleaders saw a significant pay bump their hourly rate increased by roughly 400% to $75, according to The New York Times. Still, that number is only a small fraction of what other members of the Cowboys organization earn annually. While the exact salary breakdown has never been fully disclosed, Season 1 of the series made it clear: cheering for a professional sports team isn’t especially lucrative. The role fits the definition of a “pink-collar job,” a term coined in the 1970s to describe customer-facing roles traditionally held by women and often underpaid.

For years, discussing salary has been taboo but the docuseries thrust the topic into the spotlight. Viewers learned that, on top of perfecting high kicks and jump splits, most DCC members also juggle full-time jobs in fields like corporate business, medicine, law, dance, fitness, and social media. While their off-field accomplishments are admirable, many cheerleaders struggled to stay afloat without holding down multiple jobs. That revelation sparked outrage among viewers, who took to social media to criticize the low wages. But there were no changes until Season 2.

In the latest episodes, several veteran cheerleaders including Jada McLean, Armani Latimer, Amanda Howard, and Megan McElaney take bold steps, approaching team leadership early in the season to negotiate better contracts. Despite obstacles, including rumors of a potential walkout that was ultimately diffused by management, the cheerleaders persisted. In the emotional finale, it’s revealed that the next season’s squad will receive a substantial raise. “We ended up getting a 400% increase, which is, like, life-changing,” McElaney says, tearfully.

The experience was both emotional and transformative, says McLean, a five-year squad veteran who retired after the 2024 season. Speaking to Variety in a video interview following the Season 2 premiere, she reflected on the hard-fought victory. And just days ago, the DCC appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, dancing with smiles brighter than ever a celebratory moment that capped off their journey with well-earned joy.

As a former cheerleader, I absolutely love the show, it brings back so many great memories! I sometimes wish I had gone for it and tried out for the team back when I was still full of energy, athleticism, and life. These days, my knees would definitely disagree with that decision, but wow, did I have a blast in my prime! lol!