Netflix’shit sports activities documentary America’s Sweethearts offers an inside look into the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad. Whereas being a Cowboys cheerleader may sound like a dream job for a lot of, there’s a not-so-glamorous aspect to it, significantly when it comes to remuneration. Nevertheless, DCC Cheer Director Kelli Finglass’ internet value would recommend she’s paid a slightly good-looking charge.
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It’s a tricky gig with lengthy hours and exceptionally excessive requirements, as Finglass signifies throughout the movie. She’d know the enterprise of being a cheerleader higher than most, too. Finglass was on the squad from 1984 to 1989 and was appointed assistant director to the DCC from 1989 to 1990. A yr later, she earned the title of Cheer Director in 1991 and has held that position since.
“I’ve been within the enterprise of flawless. I imply, my complete profession has been to current flawless footage, flawless dances,” she mirrored on her profession with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to Individuals. “It’s simply sensible to see all these lovely tales of individuals which are flawless and, and it was lovely” she added. “It was superbly imperfect and I like that it’s modified. It’s actually modified my mindset.”
What’s Kelli Finglass’ internet value?

Kelli Finglass’ internet value is $1.5 million in keeping with Superstar Internet Price. It’s in stark distinction to the wealth of cheerleaders, who typically should work two jobs to outlive. (There’s no publicly accessible data on Finglass’ wage as Cheer Director, however we’d estimate it’d be within the six figures.)
How a lot do Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make?
Dallas cheerleaders earn about $15-20 per hour or $500 per sport on common, which equates to round $75,000 a yr. Taking the price of dwelling in Dallas under consideration, that’s fairly low—one economics report discovered that greater than $90,000 was required to stay “comfortably” in most U.S. cities in 2024.
Nevertheless, for the 2025-2026 season, the cheerleaders expect a “life-changing” 400% pay improve, as revealed within the seventh episode of Season 2. Their salaries could be value round $151,000 and might earn $75 an hour.
“We pushed and we bought again good outcomes,” veteran Armani Latimer mentioned. “I get emotional realizing that I used to be part of that. I like the truth that I made change for the ladies which are developing behind me, even when I’m not getting an opportunity to profit.”
“For us to all be struggling financially, I’m type of over it,” Jada says over breakfast at a diner with different cheerleaders throughout Season 2. “I’d love to depart this place higher than it was after we began,” Armani replied. “Our legacy would be the cash,” Jada says.
“Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are on the very best finish of that [NFL cheer] pay scale,” America’s Sweethearts director Greg Whiteley advised Glamour. I’ve heard horror tales of what a typical NFL cheerleader [makes], however I believe the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders fall into a brand new class. None of them are wealthy. None of them are getting paid a ton, however it isn’t the identical dearth of fee that I believe different NFL cheerleaders should expertise.”
Certainly, ESPN reported in 2017 that cheerleaders “barely make minimal wage,” incomes someplace between $75 to $150 per sport. That pay construction, in fact, ignores the various hours of follow required to organize for mentioned sport look.