By JESSICA SCHIEBER
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are one of the most recognized cheerleader groups in the United States. The announcement of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders union happened on Oct. 23. Being so recognized means they have a lot of rules and restrictions on not only them but on everything they do. Did you know that their uniform is copyrighted?
Their uniform isn’t what this story will focus on however; these cheerleaders have unionized after their limited pay, and benefits have been the subject of discussion and controversy for years. The newly formed union is now recognized by the Dallas Cowboys as the collective bargaining representative for the group.
The union is officially named the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association (DCCA), they gained recognition after a discussion with the Cowboys, which states they are set to start collective bargaining. This makes the Cowboys’ cheerleaders the first active NFL cheer squad to be in a union. The Buffalo Jills, a pervious NFL cheer union, disbanded in 2014. Tad Carper, the Cowboys’ senior vice president of communications, confirmed the union to The Dallas Morning News, but declined to offer further comments.
The Cowboy Cheerleaders have been in the eye of the world for years and Netflix has made a docuseries called “America’s Sweethearts” to focus on them. Because of the docuseries the dancers’ salaries were thrust back into the spotlight. And the cheerleaders said they were due to receive a 400% pay raise for the 2025 season, according to The Dallas Morning News.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have been a staple for decades. Their high kicks and their “Thunderstruck” routine are iconic and imitated by young girls who have a dream to become a Cowboy Cheerleader.
Unionization gives the cheerleaders a formal mechanism to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions, and to use tools like strikes if necessary.