From the teams to the players to the referees, to the sponsors, the performers, the ticket prices, and all of the surrounding festivities, there is a lot of money involved in the NFL. On the other hand, a very small amount of it is actually seen by cheerleaders. How much you ask? Let’s take a look.
Whether it’s the Super Bowl or Week 3 of the NFL regular season, the sight of cheerleaders performing on-field is a common one in the NFL and one that is quite frankly synonymous with the sport. Now, while it would be safe to assume that during halftime most folks are focused on socializing with each other or the featured performer if there happens to be one, the performances of both teams’ cheerleaders are often something to behold. Indeed, they are part of the spectacle.
If you’re wondering, cheerleaders have been part of the NFL’s gameday experience since they were first introduced way back in 1954. Today, 26 of the 32 NFL teams have cheerleading squads who perform at their home games; only the Bears, Bills, Browns, Giants, Steelers, and Packers don’t utilize them.
Unlike NFL referees who you can read more about here, cheerleaders in the league are paid on a game-to-game basis by the league. According to reports, NFL supporting cheerleaders pocket approximately $150 per game and between $50 and $70 for a public appearance on behalf of their respective teams. In total, that amounts to somewhere in the realm of $22,500 annually. The word ‘supporting’ is key here, because those who have been in the league for a longer period of time are considered ‘professional’ and thus, earn more.
It is understood, that the more experienced women earn about $500 per game and $15-$20 per hour. It is understood, that a professional cheerleader i.e., the kind that will feature in the Super Bowl can make up to $75,000 a year. There are also bonuses connected with their teams making the playoffs, or even winning the Super Bowl itself. It’s also worth noting that cheerleaders are asked to cover the cost of their auditions, their travel expenses, and even their hair, makeup, and costumes.
One of the reasons why cheerleaders have such low salaries in the NFL is that they aren’t viewed as a necessity and as such qualify as independent contractors. In addition to the skepticism surrounding what is seen as an unnecessary cost, there are also those who view the situation as a matter of ethics. Indeed, Giants co-owner John Mara once reportedly said “Philosophically we have always had issues with sending scantily clad women out on the field to entertain our fans.”
In truth, no they aren’t. Again, if we use the league’s referees as a point of reference, cheerleaders like officials can earn more for postseason work, however, that is not in any way related to a specific day on the calendar like Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day for example, both days on which NFL games are played.