Exposed: The Ugly Reality Behind NFL® Cheerleading

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders preparing to enter the field, 2021. Photo by All-Pro Reels under CC BY-SA 2.0.

NFL^® cheerleading is often portrayed as glamorous, with perfectly synchronized routines, glitzy uniforms, and wide smiles. But beneath the glitz lies a darker reality that some former cheerleaders are starting to reveal. Stories of exploitation, fear-based culture, and the high physical and emotional costs of the job expose a system that demands perfection at any price.

The Price of Perfection

Earning a spot as a Dallas Cowboys^® Cheerleader requires grueling training that prioritizes appearance as much as skill. The Netflix^® documentary, “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” reveals how candidates endure intense tryouts and relentless scrutiny over their weight, looks, and demeanor, often pushing them to adopt unhealthy habits to meet rigid standards. For many, joining the team means embracing a lifestyle focused solely on perfection, leaving little room for personal identity or self-expression.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders entertain the crowd at the Cowboys’ home field AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith and courtesy of Library of Congress. Public domain.

In the documentary, former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Victoria Kalina, reveals that many squad members juggle full-time jobs alongside a rigorous rehearsal schedule from 7-10 p.m. Despite the Cowboys’ $9.2 billion valuation as the world’s most valuable sports franchise, cheerleaders report earning low wages, with one cheerleader in the documentary comparing the pay to that of “a Chick-Fil-A worker.” Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice-president of the Dallas Cowboys and daughter of owner Jerry Jones, whose fortune is estimated at $14 billion, insists that cheerleaders don’t join for financial gain but rather for the “sisterhood.”

Kalina’s story reflects the broader culture within NFL cheerleading teams, where control and perfection overshadow the performers’ health and well-being. As she notes, the pressure to maintain specific looks and to align with the cheerleading image came with a mental toll that many women were unable to escape. Her decision to step away is echoed by others who feel that the NFL’s cheerleading culture is unsustainable, failing to support the well-being of the very women it celebrates.

A Culture of Fear and Control

The documentary “A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem” exposes a cheerleading environment steeped in fear and intimidation, revealing how cheerleaders are bound by strict regulations governing their appearance, personal lives, and relationships. These restrictions are so severe that many cheerleaders feel they cannot live freely, fearing that any misstep could jeopardize their place on the team. The documentary reveals a culture of fear in which cheerleaders are frequently reminded they are replaceable, a tactic used to enforce compliance and submission. This creates an atmosphere where speaking out against unfair treatment feels risky, as cheerleaders worry about repercussions that could harm their careers or tarnish their reputations.

Behind the Pay and Glamour

While NFL teams generate billions in revenue, cheerleaders receive meager compensation, some as low as $2.85 an hour. Their hourly pay rarely accounts for the extensive time spent on rehearsals, performances, and the personal sacrifices they make. The documentary highlights that, after rehearsal hours, personal grooming costs, and mandatory events, many cheerleaders earn less than minimum wage. Of the 26 NFL teams that employ cheerleaders, 10 have been sued for alleged wage theft, sexual harassment, body-shaming, hostile working conditions, extremely low pay, and blatant discrimination.

This pay disparity has led to lawsuits and protests from former cheerleaders, who argue that the league’s compensation practices are exploitative. Some have successfully challenged the NFL, but most women still earn far less than their efforts merit, with cheerleading organizations more focused on maintaining the image of perfection than addressing these longstanding financial grievances.

NFL cheerleading may still appear glamorous on the surface, but stories from those who’ve lived it tell a very different tale. Accounts of strict beauty standards, low wages, and restrictive contracts have shattered the illusion of glamour, exposing a reality of exploitation masked by smiles and sequins. As more former cheerleaders share their experiences, the NFL faces mounting pressure to reevaluate its approach to cheerleading and prioritize the health and dignity of the women who dedicate themselves to the sport.

References: ‘A culture of fear’: inside a shocking film on how cheerleaders are treated | The dark side of cheerleading: Why I quit the Dallas Cowboys | The ugly process of turning beautiful women into Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders