Cowboys recognize cheerleaders union ahead of collective bargaining

The Dallas Cowboys have voluntarily recognized a union representing their cheerleading squad, opening the way for collective bargaining after years of campaigning for better pay. The Guardian reported that a Friday news release confirmed recognition of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association, or DCCA, as the squad's collective bargaining representative. The organization and the association are now set to begin negotiations.

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Recognition followed discussions between the Cowboys and the DCCA, according to the release. In its statement, the association highlighted the dancers' talent and dedication and their standing within the Cowboys organization. The announcement establishes a representative for bargaining; the Guardian report did not set out the terms of a new collective agreement or a timetable for completing negotiations.

The development follows earlier disputes over compensation. In 2018, cheerleader Erica Wilkins filed a federal fair-wage lawsuit against the Cowboys. She alleged that she averaged $15,000 during her seasons with Dallas and earned less than the team's male mascot. Those claims formed part of a longer-running campaign by squad members over their earnings, which has also received attention through television coverage of the team.

The Netflix documentary series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders has brought that debate to a wider audience. Its second season followed contract talks involving the 36-member squad, including threats of a walkout. The season ended with a 400% pay increase, the Guardian reported, with the hourly rate for some members rising from $15 for the 2024 season to $75.

The earlier wage agreement did not resolve every issue. One squad member told the New York Times that the contract increased pay for game-day appearances but did not provide health insurance, according to the Guardian. The series has also shown that many squad members maintain full-time jobs alongside cheerleading. Its third season was released in June.

Dallas is not the first NFL cheerleading squad to unionize. In 1995, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that the Buffalo Bills cheerleaders could form a union, and the Buffalo Jills joined the National Football League Cheerleaders Association. That union was short-lived, and the squad disbanded in 2014. For Dallas, the next announced step is bargaining between the Cowboys and their newly recognized cheerleaders' association.