So picture this: It’s a freezing Sunday in Detroit, and you’re shivering in your Megatron jersey, scarfing down a stadium hot dog. You glance at the sidelines, and there they are—the Detroit Lions cheerleaders—smiling through the sleet, doing a high kick that would break my back. They make it look glamorous, right? But then you think, “Wait, what’s the paycheck for surviving that?”
Let’s cut the cheerleader fantasy right here—spoiler alert: it’s not a full-time salary. In fact, the pay for Lions cheerleaders is more of a “passion project with a tiny stipend” than a living wage. (Yeah, I know, ironic given the NFL’s billions.)
The Cold, Hard Numbers (Or Lack Thereof)
If you Google “Detroit Lions cheerleader salary,” you’ll get a lot of vague answers. That’s because the Lions, like most teams, keep the exact figures locked in a vault. But from reports and former cheerleaders, here’s the ballpark: they earn between $75 and $150 per game for the day’s work. Plus, they get a tiny per diem for travel if they perform at away games—think $25 to cover lunch.
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Now, do the math: with 10 home games a season (preseason included), that’s roughly $750 to $1,500 per season before taxes. Yes, you read that right. A single Lions ticket costs more than most cheerleaders make in an entire game.
But wait—there’s more. They also get a flat monthly stipend of about $100 to $300 during training and event weeks. So total? Maybe $2,000 to $3,000 a year if they’re lucky. That’s less than what you’d make working three weeks at a fast-food joint. (Cue the sad trombone.)
But It’s Not Just Game Day, Right?
Here’s the kicker—they don’t get paid for practice. At all. Zero. The Lions cheerleaders practice two to three times a week for hours, often traveling to the team facility on their own gas money. They also do charity appearances, photo shoots, and promotional events—for free or a tiny gift card. (I once got a $5 Starbucks card for a 4-hour shift. I feel their pain.)
And those fancy uniforms? They pay for them. Hair, makeup, nails, travel to practice, even the poms—it all comes out of their pocket. By the end of the season, they might lose money. Which, let’s be honest, is the opposite of a job.
The Detroit Lions Cheerleaders take the field prior to the Detroit
Why Do They Do It Then? (The Real Answer)
You’re probably thinking, “Why would anyone put up with that?” Well, the Lions cheerleaders, like most NFL cheer squads, are in it for the exposure and experience. Many are dancers, models, or influencers who use the platform to build a portfolio and network. “I’ve been a Lions cheerleader for five years—now I have 10K followers on Insta and a free Netflix audition,” one former cheerleader told me (paraphrasing).
There’s also the love of the sport and the city. Detroit is a gritty, pride-filled town, and being a Lions cheerleader is a badge of honor. You get to perform in front of 65,000 fans, travel to cool cities, and be part of the NFL machine. But love doesn’t pay the rent.
The Ironic Comparison: NFL Players vs. Cheerleaders
This is where it gets wild. The average Lions player makes $2.8 million a year. A star like Amon-Ra St. Brown pulls in over $20 million. Meanwhile, his cheerleaders—the people who hype up the crowd, do charity work, and risk injury in heels—get a few hundred bucks per game. Let that sink in.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing the players—they earned their contracts. But the inequality is a little hard to swallow. Especially when the NFL rakes in $18 billion annually. The cheerleaders? They’re basically unpaid interns with better abs.
PHOTOS: Detroit Lions Cheerleader Has The Internet In A Chokehold With
What About Other Squads? Are the Lions the Cheapest?
Surprisingly, the Lions are actually mid-tier in pay. Some teams, like the Dallas Cowboys, pay their cheerleaders around $15-$20 per hour for game days, plus travel and per diem. But others—like the Washington Commanders—have been sued for paying less than minimum wage. (Classy, right?) The Lions haven’t faced major lawsuits, but they’re far from generous.
Most cheerleaders rely on second jobs—dance instructors, waitresses, or part-time corporate gigs—to make ends meet. One former Lions cheerleader told me she worked at a Starbucks during the day and practiced at night. That’s dedication. (Or caffeine addiction, but I digress.)
So, Is It Worth It?
Here’s my honest take: if you’re doing it for the money, run the other way. But if you’re doing it for the love of dance, the adrenaline of game day, and the sheer joy of being part of the Lions family—then yeah, the experience might be priceless. Just don’t expect to buy a house with it.
And next time you see them shaking their poms in the snow, give 'em a little extra cheer. They’re probably freezing, broke, and still smiling. That’s more than I’d do for $150.