NFL Cheerleaders are one of the most iconic symbols of the marquee sports league in the United States of America. The league makes over $9.7 billion a year in total revenue and the cheerleaders account for about 10% of that amount. However, most of these cheerleaders make less than $1000 a year, prompting many to call for the NFL to start paying cheerleaders at least minimum wage.
Each year, NFL Cheerleaders attend two preseason games and eight regular-season home games. They can make anywhere from $70-$90 per game, while NFL players are getting paid thousands of dollars, if not tens of thousands of dollars per game. Although the players are the main attraction, these women make significantly less than players on an NFL team’s practice squad. Practice squad players can make around $6,250 a game and they do not set a foot on the field during a game. The NFL Cheerleaders have to attend six hour routine practices and clinics that are just as physically demanding as a NFL team’s workout.
Just like the players, the NFL Cheerleaders risk injury performing high-flying stunts and have to face intense pressure and stress to perfect a routine. In many public fan experiences, these cheerleaders are the main attraction, but a NFL team mascot can make up to $65,000 per year. From a financial standpoint, these women are better off finding other jobs and serving hot dogs for their NFL team at the concessions stand, where employees make between $12 and $19 an hour. It is a shame that these skilled young women would make more money flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant.
It is time for the NFL to see that the cheerleaders are a crucial part of its image and that they need to be paid a salary that they can live off of. It is a disgrace to see that an iconic billion dollar American company still has an ancient image on what women’s salaries should be. The league and Commissioner Roger Goodell need to set a precedent and take matters into their own hands, rather than allowing each individual franchise team have its own set of rules and regulations. It is time for people to realize that the NFL needs its cheerleaders more than the cheerleaders need the NFL.
As a football player, I see this discrimination at our school. Our cheer sisters buy their football brothers snacks and gifts before every game, but we do not return the favor and give them something when they have competitions. In fact, Song placed first in the Sharp International National Dance Championships in March and it is time that they receive the recognition they deserve from our school.