The NFL, also known as the National Football League, is highly popular in Western countries, and its fame has been slowly spreading to other continents like Europe.
While many people refer to their favorite football player or team when mentioning the league, there are also certain other attractions that make the game all the more interesting: Cheerleading.
So, how much do Cheerleaders make in the NFL? On average, a professional cheerleader makes around $150 per game, which makes their annual income $22,500, one of the least paid in the league. However, they also earn through other public appearances, such as the Pro Bowl.
You can find out more about their salaries and what they do below.
What Do Cheerleaders Do?
While many assume Cheerleaders are included in league games to attract more audiences, you’re not entirely wrong. However, there is another reason.
Cheerleaders encourage their teams and motivate spectators to increase their involvement in the game. In other words, during the gaps of timeouts or scoring a goal, they often become the center of attraction to keep the viewers from getting bored.
How to Become a Cheerleader in the NFL?
Just like NFL Referees, Cheerleaders also need to meet specific requirements before they make their professional entrance to the league. Here are a few requirements an individual must meet in order to become a Cheerleader.
- Educational Degree: While the NFL doesn’t expect you to have a master ‘s-level degree, it has a basic requirement of candidates finishing at least a high school diploma or anything of equal value. Most Cheerleaders prefer taking communications and business degrees.
- Experience: While most NFL teams have their own training initiations for the Cheerleading applicants, they don’t easily select candidates without any prior experience. So, it is recommended to have a prior cheerleading experience like in a college and local sports.
- Certification: Even if you have years of Cheerleading experience in American football, without obtaining the license, the NFL will disqualify them. So, the Cheerleaders must perform in a team and evaluate their dancing skills and physical fitness.
How Much Do the NFL Cheerleaders Earn?
As stated, typical NFL Cheerleaders earn about $150 per game, and their appearances during the Pro Bowl can earn them some extra money. However, these are estimated on average, implying there are Cheerleaders who make as little as $25 per hour and as high as $500 per game.
However, it depends on the circumstances. For example, a Cheerleader for a famous franchise who has been in the business for decades and has been quite successful will earn $500 per game effortlessly.
Some examples of these Cheerleading groups include the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos. All of these popular groups consist of at least a bare minimum of twenty-five girls, although they alternate between the games.
How Do Their Salaries Compare with Other Departments in the NFL?
The NFL isn’t only about players, referees, and cheerleaders, but so many professions are involved in it. So, here is a small comparison of how much each professional involved in the NFL earns.
- Cheerleaders: 22,500 dollars
- Mascots: 25,000 dollars
- Water Boys: 53,000 dollars
- Referees: 205,000 dollars
- Wide Receivers: 3 million dollars
- Head Coaches: 6.7 million dollars
- Quarterbacks: 7 million dollars
So, it is evident that Cheerleaders earn the least amount of all the NFL professions, but it should be noted that while these beautiful girls do a great job in every match, other professions have their own value.
Unlike referees, NFL Cheerleaders don’t have a strong union backing them up, so they are expected to receive lower wages. Since they are independent contractors and not full-time employees, franchises don’t pay them wages by abiding by the law’s requirements.
So, what is your take on the earnings of the NFL Cheerleaders? Do you think they should earn more? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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