Do Cheerleaders Get Paid In The Nfl

So, you’re sitting on the couch, eating chips, watching the NFL. You see the cheerleaders doing their thing on the sidelines, all smiles and pom-poms. And a little voice in your head whispers: Do they get paid for this?

The short answer is yes, but it’s not what you think. It’s less “sports car and diamond bracelet” money, and more “gas money and a free t-shirt” money. Think of it like getting paid in exposure, but the exposure is just you doing backflips in a stadium full of people.

Wait, They Don’t Get a Piece of the Billion-Dollar Pie?

Nope. Not even close. Most NFL cheerleaders make minimum wage for game days, and that’s before taxes. A typical paycheck might be $150 to $200 per game. That’s less than what the team’s water boy makes, and he just stands there.

Imagine working a part-time job where you have to audition like you’re applying for a NASA mission. You practice for hours, wear tiny outfits in freezing weather, and smile until your face hurts. And your reward? A check that barely covers your gas and a protein bar.

It’s like being a barista at a high-end coffee shop, but instead of tips, you get a logoed jacket. And you have to dance. Constantly.

The Real Gut Punch: The “Free Labor” Zone

Here’s where it gets funny in a tragic way. Many cheerleaders are not paid for the rehearsals. They show up three times a week for two-hour practices, plus photo shoots, plus charity events, plus meet-and-greets. All unpaid.

Who are the Cincinnati Bengals Cheerleaders?

So you’re basically paying the team for the privilege of being a cheerleader. You’re like a gym member who pays to work out, except you also have to perform for 70,000 strangers. The other gym members don’t stare at you while you do lunges. Usually.

And then there’s the travel. If the team goes to an away game, cheerleaders often pay for their own flights and hotels. Or they cram into a van like it’s a college road trip, except they’re expected to look flawless when they arrive. Good luck sleeping in a van while wearing eyelash glue.

But Wait, Some Teams Actually Treat Them Decently

Not all teams are Scrooges. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are the gold standard — they get a small salary, plus game-day pay, plus free meals. It’s still not life-changing, but at least they’re not paying to work. Progress!

How much NFL cheerleaders are paid for Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl LX

Some teams now pay for practice time, thanks to lawsuits and public shaming. The Oakland Raiders (when they were still in Oakland) famously started paying cheerleaders $9 an hour after a big legal battle. Nine dollars an hour. That’s less than what you’d earn flipping burgers at In-N-Out. But hey, at least you get to throw your arms around a mascot.

Bottom line: If you’re a cheerleader, you’re not in it for the cash. You’re in it because you love dancing, you love the game, and you’re a little bit crazy. In a good way.

The “Beer” Perspective

Let’s compare it to your average 9-to-5 job. You work eight hours, you get paid, you buy groceries. Cheerleaders work like crazy, get paid like a high school intern, and then have to buy their own makeup. It’s like paying to be popular.

Imagine your boss saying, “Great job on that project! Here’s twenty bucks and a coupon for a free coffee. Also, you have to wear glitter and do the splits in the breakroom.” That’s basically an NFL cheerleader’s job description.

Do NFL Cheerleaders Get Paid? Here’s How Much the Average Salary Is

And yet, for every 1,000 women who audition, maybe 30 make the squad. They practice for months, they cry, they get yelled at, and then they dance in a blizzard. Why? Because doing a high kick in front of 70,000 people feels electric. Even if your bank account is anemic.

So, Do They Get Paid? The Honest Answer

Yes, they get paid. But it’s laughably little. Like, “I need a second job to pay rent” little. Many cheerleaders work as nannies, waitresses, or personal trainers during the week. They are, in effect, professional athletes who are paid like part-time mall Santas.

Here’s the kicker (pun intended): The NFL is a $18 billion industry. The average player makes over $2 million a year. The cheerleader? She gets a fraction of a fraction of a penny from that pie. It’s like a billionaire giving you a single grain of rice and saying, “There you go, friend.”

How much do NFL cheerleaders make each football season and who is the

So next time you see a cheerleader at a game, give them a small wave. They’re probably working harder than the guy on the field (who just caught a pass and is paid more than your entire neighborhood). And they’re smiling. They always smile. Even when their bank account is crying.

The Takeaway: Are They Crazy or Passionate?

Let’s be real: anyone who does cheerleading for a living has a special kind of love for it. It’s like being a musician who plays for tips. You do it because you can’t imagine not doing it. The money is just a bonus, even if that bonus is $150 and a foam finger.

So, do cheerleaders get paid? Technically, yes. Economically, no. Emotionally, absolutely. And if you ever get a chance to talk to one, buy them a drink. They’ve earned it. And they probably need the calories after holding that smile for three hours in 30-degree weather.

Now, pass the chips. And maybe send a little tip money to your local cheerleader. They definitely don’t get enough.