The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, including Megan McElaney, secured a massive 400% pay raise in June 2025, a 'life-changing' reveal on their Netflix show.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
While the Dallas Cowboys front office was busy shuffling the bottom of the roster, the biggest financial news out of The Star on Wednesday had nothing to do with player contracts. In a move that's sending waves through the league, the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have secured a staggering 400% pay raise, a bombshell revealed in the new season of their hit Netflix series.
It’s life-changing.
The news that has Cowboys Nation buzzing dropped in Season 2, Episode 7 of 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,' which premiered today on Netflix. Veteran cheerleader Megan McElaney perfectly captured the moment, calling the massive salary increase 'life-changing.' For years, advocates like former member Jada McLean have pushed for better compensation, and today's reveal feels like a monumental victory. The Cowboys organization confirmed their satisfaction with the new pay structure, marking a significant and long-overdue milestone for arguably the most famous cheerleading squad in the world. It’s a huge win and a fantastic storyline to kick off the new season of their show.
Back on the gridiron side of things, the team made some classic pre-training camp moves. The Cowboys signed two unnamed free agents while releasing two players to make room. As discussed on 105.3 The Fan today, these aren't headline-grabbing transactions, but they are crucial. This is about churning the bottom of the roster, creating competition, and finding a diamond in the rough. Every spot on the 90-man roster heading to Oxnard is valuable, and these moves show the front office is still actively looking for upgrades and the right mix of talent, even in mid-June.
Why do these minor roster moves matter? Look no further than the schedule. A forecast published today highlighted a brutal stretch in October where the Cowboys will play three of their four games on the road. Tough road trips are where depth is tested. The players signed today might just be 'camp bodies,' or one of them could be the key special teamer or backup who steps up during that grueling month. Building a roster that can withstand a challenging schedule starts now, with these seemingly small adjustments.
Today was a fascinating mix of off-field triumphs and on-field strategy. While the cheerleaders celebrate a hard-won and well-deserved victory, the front office continues its quiet, relentless pursuit of the perfect 90-man roster. Both stories, in their own way, are about building a championship-caliber organization from top to bottom. Now, all eyes turn toward Oxnard as we wait to see which of these new faces will make the final cut and help the team survive that brutal October gauntlet.
