Cowboys cheerleaders perform before 900,000 fans during their home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the NFC Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers on January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Via Imago)
While dedicating two docuseries to the NFL players, Netflix also produced one for one of the most iconic cheerleading squads in the NFL– the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. This new docuseries takes a deep dive into the lives of these cheerleaders and what it takes for women in white knee-length boots to be as iconic as they are.
With the brilliant direction of Emmy Award-winning director Greg Whiteley, this series takes the audience on a journey from a hectic audition process to rigorous training camp and the ultimate showdown in the NFL season. It mainly focuses on the Class of 2023 documenting their personal stories, ambitions, and drives that brought them here.
The audition process for these gorgeous women was overseen by the team’s longtime director Kelli Finglass along with Cowboys’ executive vice president and chief brand officer Charlotte Jones and choreographer Judy Trammell as they measured the contestant’s dance technique, physical appearance, showmanship, skills, and personal attributes.
The opening scene of the docuseries shows a cheerleader describing the core belief based on the American team choosing their cheerleaders to perform before 900,000 fans during their home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hold second jobs to make ends meet
As grand as the Cowboys cheerleading squad is, they are not as valuable as seems. Despite being the richest franchise in the NFL with an estimated worth of $9 billion, the Cowboys are evidently frugal when it comes to paying the cheerleaders.
According to a report by NBC Boston, the members of DCC merely earn $500 per game and around $15-20 per hour for practices. Their total annual salary estimates are $75,000 only. Because of this, many cheerleaders have to take on full-time jobs to support themselves and their families.
A veteran cheerleader said she earns the equivalent of a “substitute teacher.” Additionally, the franchise only allows a woman to be on the cheerleading squad for five years, though not necessarily consecutive years.