Veteran Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Kleine Powell is making waves on social media as she gears up for the 2024 NFL season. Known for her vibrant presence, Powell is using her platform to offer an inside look at life as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (DCC).
She recently shared her enthusiasm online, thanking her stylist and expressing her excitement for the upcoming season, saying, “Practicing cameo poses before my shoot time. Thank you @the_styling_stewardess @kaleigh_caver for making me feel so stunning today.”
Powell’s journey began at the University of Kentucky, where she cheered collegiately before fulfilling her childhood dream of joining the DCC in 2021. She described the moment she made it to the team as surreal: “I just kept making it through the (tryout) rounds. When I made it to training camp, I burst into tears because I realized that I could really (make the team).“
Despite the grueling tryout process and adapting to the DCC’s unique style, Powell has embraced the challenge, calling the experience a mix of “modeling while you’re dancing.”
However, the glamour of cheerleading comes with a financial reality that has stirred controversy. Despite the high profile of the Dallas Cowboys, DCC members are often underpaid considering the organization’s profitability. The cheerleaders earn about $500 per game and $15-20 per hour for practices, totaling roughly $75,000 annually.
This is relatively high compared to the average NFL cheerleader salary of $75-$150 per game, but still pales in comparison to the millions earned by NFL players.
The Dallas Cowboys, valued at $9 billion, have faced criticism for paying cheerleaders a fraction of what the team generates.As of now, specific details about Kleine Powell‘s net worth are not publicly available. Her primary source of income comes from her role as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, and while she is known for her vibrant presence and dedication, cheerleaders typically do not earn substantial salaries compared to other high-profile sports figures.
Critics argue that the cheerleaders’ salaries are inadequate given their demanding schedules and the organization’s vast resources. Amy Diehl, a gender bias researcher, commented, “The Dallas Cowboys owners justify paying their cheerleaders a paltry salary because it is a privilege & the women are finding their purpose, passion & sisterhood.” A TikTok user echoed this sentiment, saying, “It’s crazy to me that people worth billions of dollars don’t value the people that keep their brand afloat by paying them a livable wage.”
The issue of pay equity has been highlighted in the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The show reveals that many cheerleaders balance their cheerleading duties with full-time jobs, such as nursing or floristry, to make ends meet.
