When you think of the NFL its easy to imagine roaring stadiums, intense games, and of course the dynamic performances of cheerleaders who keep the energy alive while the spotlight shines on them during every home game theres much more to being an NFL cheerleader than meets the eye beyond the glittering pom poms and vibrant routines theres a lesser known side: their pay surprisingly for all the effort and visibility cheerleaders arent earning as much as you might expect.
In this essay well dig into how much NFL cheerleaders really make explore the perks and benefits that come with the job and examine why the debate around their compensation has become such a hot topic in recent years well also dive into the legal battles some cheerleaders have faced in the fight for fair wages while touching on the passion that keeps many of them in the game despite these challenges.
The Pay Breakdown: What NFL Cheerleaders Actually Earn
To put it simply NFL cheerleaders make far less than most people think on average cheerleaders earn between $100 and $150 per game with a regular NFL season spanning 16 games this means they could be making as little as $1,600 to $2,400 just for game day appearances in an entire season. This might seem like a decent side gig at first glance but once you factor in the countless hours of practice promotional events and travel time its clear that the pay doesnt come close to reflecting the amount of work involved.
Some teams might pay slightly more but even then the rates typically top out at $200 per game for more experienced cheerleaders while its true that high profile events like playoff games or the Super Bowl come with bonuses these opportunities are rare and they only offer a small bump in overall earnings.
Beyond Game Day: Other Income Streams
While most of the pay comes from game day performances NFL cheerleaders are also required to participate in rehearsals and promotional events for rehearsals which can happen several times a week the pay is minimal often around $50 per session or even unpaid for some teams given that these practices can last for hours its easy to see how the time commitment adds up fast without much financial reward.
Promotional appearances such as charity events corporate functions or photo shoots usually offer cheerleaders a bit more but still nothing extravagant these appearances might pay anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour and in some cases even less cheerleaders often have to attend these events in addition to their regular game day duties further extending their work hours without a significant increase in compensation.
Annual Income: A Seasonal Gig
When you take everything into account the annual earnings of an NFL cheerleader generally fall between $5,000 and $10,000 for a season keep in mind this is a seasonal job that runs from around August to February so for most cheerleaders its not a year round source of income outside of the NFL season many cheerleaders work other jobs or pursue side gigs to make ends meet.
The Perks: More Than Just Money?
While the pay is clearly lower than expected there are a few non monetary benefits that come with being an NFL cheerleader some might argue that these perks can make up for the modest paycheck at least in part.
1. Exposure and Career Opportunities
One of the biggest perks of being an NFL cheerleader is the exposure it brings cheerleaders often get the chance to meet high profile figures in the sports and entertainment industries which can open doors to future opportunities for those interested in careers in entertainment, fitness or modeling, cheerleading can serve as a platform to build a personal brand some former cheerleaders have used their NFL experience to land jobs in television acting or as fitness influencers.
2. Travel and Special Events
Many NFL cheerleaders get the opportunity to travel for away games, promotional events and even international appearances these trips while often not fully compensated do offer unique experiences cheerleaders who perform at big events like the Super Bowl or international games get to be part of high profile celebrations that are both memorable and exciting for some these once in a lifetime experiences are worth the lower pay.
3. Team Merchandise and Tickets
Cheerleaders usually receive free tickets to games exclusive team merchandise and other smaller perks like discounted gym memberships or fitness classes while these perks dont pay the bills they do offer some added value to the job.
4. Community Involvement and Camaraderie
Another often overlooked benefit is the sense of community and team spirit that comes with being part of a cheerleading squad many cheerleaders enjoy the close relationships they form with their teammates and the chance to engage in community service and outreach events the bonds formed through these shared experiences can be rewarding in ways that go beyond money.
The Fight for Fair Pay: Legal Battles and Advocacy
Over the past decade several NFL cheerleaders have taken legal action against teams over unfair pay and working conditions these lawsuits have brought the issue of cheerleader compensation into the spotlight leading to some significant changes.
1. Wage Theft and Unpaid Work
In 2014 cheerleaders from teams like the Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills sued their respective organizations, accusing them of wage theft and unpaid work. The lawsuits revealed that many cheerleaders were required to work long hours for practices promotional events and appearances often without any compensation in some cases cheerleaders were making less than the legal minimum wage when all their time was accounted for.
2. Legal Victories and Settlements
Many of these lawsuits resulted in financial settlements for example the Oakland Raiders paid $1.25 million to settle a lawsuit with their cheerleaders compensating them for unpaid wages and overtime. The Buffalo Bills followed with a $3.5 million settlement to resolve similar claims from their cheerleading squad these victories set important precedents and led to more transparency around cheerleader pay.
3. Addressing Gender Pay Gaps
These legal battles also highlighted the significant gender pay gap in professional sports. While players coaches and even mascots were earning substantial salaries female cheerleaders were often paid a fraction of that despite their essential role in the game day experience these disparities sparked discussions about the need for more equitable treatment of women in sports.
Why Do Cheerleaders Stick Around Despite Low Pay?
Given the challenges of low pay and high time commitment its natural to wonder why anyone would choose to stay in such a role but for many NFL cheerleaders the job offers personal rewards that go beyond financial compensation.
1. A Love for Performance
For a lot of cheerleaders the role fulfills a deep passion for dance and performance. The thrill of performing in front of thousands of fans being part of an iconic organization and showcasing their talents on a national stage is a dream come true for these performers the joy of dancing and being in the spotlight is worth more than the paycheck.
2. Prestige and Pride
Being part of an NFL cheerleading squad carries a certain level of prestige. Its a position that many have worked hard to achieve often auditioning multiple times before being selected the honor and pride that come with representing a major NFL team can be enough to keep some cheerleaders in the role, despite the low financial rewards.
3. Friendships and Team Spirit
Cheerleaders often form close knit bonds with their teammates creating a sense of camaraderie and belonging that can be hard to find elsewhere for many cheerleaders these friendships and the team spirit are a big part of why they stick around season after season.
The Future: Will NFL Cheerleader Pay Improve?
As more attention is brought to the issue of cheerleader compensation theres hope that pay and working conditions will continue to improve some teams have already made changes in response to lawsuits and public pressure but there is still a long way to go before pay is truly fair.
1. Unionization
One potential avenue for improving pay and working conditions is unionization. If cheerleaders could organize and negotiate collectively they might be able to secure better contracts pay raises and protections unionization has worked for other industries with low pay and demanding work conditions, and it could be a game changer for NFL cheerleaders as well.
2. Ongoing Legal Efforts
Continued legal advocacy is another way forward as more cheerleaders become aware of their rights and push for fairer treatment additional lawsuits and legal actions could help to further raise the standards across the league.
3. Public Awareness and Support
Public awareness and support also play a key role in driving change fans and advocates can push for better treatment of cheerleaders by calling attention to the issue supporting campaigns for fair pay and pressuring teams to take action.
Conclusion
At first glance being an NFL cheerleader may seem like a glamorous, high paying role but the reality is much more complicated with game day pay that rarely exceeds $150 and a host of unpaid or underpaid responsibilities cheerleaders are often compensated far less than their contributions deserve however many cheerleaders continue to perform out of love for the craft pride in representing their teams and the unique opportunities that come with the job.
As awareness of the issue grows theres hope that well see positive changes in cheerleader compensation ensuring that these talented performers are paid fairly for their work in the meantime cheerleaders remain passionate dedicated and essential parts of the NFL experience bringing energy and excitement to the game one performance at a time.