In 1954, the Baltimore Colts became the first NFL team to have its own cheerleaders, and other teams quickly followed suit. Now, cheerleaders have become synonymous with football, and cheerleading squads have come a long way since then.
How does one get hired as an NFL cheerleader? How much do they get paid?
Here’s everything you need to know about the life of an NFL cheerleader.
How Much Do Cheerleaders Make?
With the NFL being a billion-dollar industry and just simply a big moneymaker, you would assume cheerleaders get paid well. If NFL owners line their pockets with their riches while players sign multi-million dollar contracts, cheerleaders must make a fortune, right?
Nope. According to multiple sources, NFL cheerleaders make an average of $150 per game and roughly $50 to $75 per appearance. Yes, you read that right.
However, while the average pay isn’t high, the leader of the cheerleading team can make significantly more money, as that role can pay as much as $75,000 per year. Unfortunately, though, most cheerleaders have to work a second job in order to pay their bills.
On the bright side, some NFL franchises pay their cheerleaders better than others. For example, the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles pay their cheerleaders between $15 per hour and $20 per hour and $500 per game.
Why Is the Compensation So Low?
To start, cheerleaders are independent contractors; NFL teams are not required to pay them as salaried employees. For comparison, the average cheerleader makes significantly less money than an NFL waterboy or team mascot.
The waterboy is a full-time position, working 40 hours weekly during an NFL season. Teams could also have multiple waterboys to handle the duties for practices and games.
The typical salary of an NFL waterboy is between $50,000 to $60,000 per year. However, there are some cases where waterboys do not get paid but instead receive internships for their high school or college.
When you compare that with a cheerleader, it can be a quite surprising salary gap.
What Do Cheerleaders Do To Prepare for the Season?
In terms of time, cheerleaders devote 30-40 hours per week to cheerleading practice. In some many cases, cheerleaders spend hours in the gym to get in peak physical condition for the season. Others even work as gym instructors when they are not cheerleading.
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders getting you ready for football season with a choreographed dance to my song, CAMILA-LALALA 💃🏿🏈
#choreography #choreographer #dancevideo #dancing #hiphopdance #hiphopchoreo #cheer #cheerleading #nfl #denverbroncos #broncos #footballseason pic.twitter.com/qSs9dHBSOv
— Joseph Capalbo (@CapalboMusic) August 14, 2023
It’s also important to note that cheerleading is highly competitive, and the NFL only takes the best of the best. It isn’t all glitz and glamour as many think it is. Plenty of work goes into performing on an NFL football field, more than the public will ever know.
While they are paid for gamedays and public appearances, they typically aren’t compensated for the hours spent preparing or training behind the scenes.
Additionally, image is everything for NFL cheerleaders. Most must adhere to strict weight programs and focus on appearance, including manicured nails and styled hair.
What Is the Role of an NFL Cheerleader?
Obviously, NFL cheerleaders cheer on their team — hence the name. They also get the crowd hyped and excited and get them into the game.
Additionally, cheerleaders often perform various choreographed routines.
KEEP READING: Who Are the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?
The schedule of an NFL cheerleader can be grueling, especially with a growing, long season.
Cheerleaders can spend all day at the stadium for every game, meaning many cheerleaders must spend time away from their families during holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Can Cheerleaders Cheer for More Than One Sports Team?
Yes. Since cheerleaders are independent contractors, they are not full-time employees. Many NFL cheerleaders will also cheer for another sports team during the NFL offseason.
The same cheerleaders you see on the football field could be in an NBA arena later in the year.