Dance for crumbs: the end of an era?

Long underpaid, the slap leaders of Dallas cowboys claim their status of elite athletes, a recognition which could well inspire other teams to Quebec.

The documentary series America’s Sweetheartsbroadcast on Netflixhas captivated millions of spectators since 2024. This production, the second season of which has been available since June 18, highlights the daily life of the 36 slag leaders (cheerleaders) of the Cowboys from Dallas. Far from the clichés, the series reveals elite athletes capable of impressive physical prowess, such as the famous kick line and the big sautéed gap, so demanding movements that some had to undergo hip surgery.

These women train up to 40 hours per week, perform performances at each home team match, participate in multiple promotional events and represent the most lucrative sports franchise in the world, which is evaluated at $ 10 billion, according to Forbes. However, they were not paid at their fair value.

In 2018, the former slapper Erica Wilkins brought a prosecution against the organization, revealing that she won US $ 8 an hour. His net annual income amounted to US $ 4,700, while the one who personified the team’s mascot, Rowdytouched US $ 65,000 per year. In 2022, Jada McLeana five -year veterane of the team, declared to the New York Times be paid US $ 15 an hour.

It was not until 2024 to see a real improvement. In the second season of the series, we learn that slap leaders obtained a salary increase of 400 %. Although no official announcement on this subject has been made by the organization, it is reported that the hourly rate would now be around US $ 75. Our efforts have been rewarded, and this salary increase will change our livessays Megan McElaney, member of the team for four years.

A very different reality in Quebec

For two years, the team of cheer Alouettes turned into a dance team led by Joëlle Bourdeau, also director of Innova Danse, in Montérégie. If the engagement of the 20 dancers is immense, the financial reality remains modest: they earn $ 135 per match, with additional daily allowance for the captains, but the training remains volunteers. Girls here do it as a hobbyexplains Joëlle Bourdeau.

I am lucky to have a team motivated by the passion for dance, football and the feeling of family. We try to make the experience as profitable as possible, because the monetary level, it is true that it is not the greatest motivation!

However, she hopes that the wind of change started by Cowboys,, in the NFLwill blow up to us. THE Cowboys From Dallas, it’s a gigantic organization! This is excellent news, this increase. When you want high caliber dancers, you want to pay them at their true value. The more interesting the compensation, the stronger the level.

For this, the teams must still be ready to give dancers the place they deserve. It depends on each sports organization, what they want to offer. I dare to hope it will change things!

Annie Larouche’s point of view, pioneer in Quebec

Annie Larouche, ex-slap specialist who then became director of the Montreal Alouettes Dance team, from 1996 to 2021, followed the documentary series with interest America’s Sweetheart. She even had the opportunity to meet the slapters of the Cowboysin 2002, and to rub shoulders with some over the course of his career.

They are high level athletes, without a doubt! There are still a lot of prejudices around cheerleaders. I fought against this from my first year with the larks.

She deplores that some teams from NFL helped maintain these stereotypes. These teams did not highlight the girls despite their talent, she said. They did not have the chance to demonstrate the extent of their capacities.

If it welcomes the salary increase granted by the Directorate of Cowboysit brings a nuance. It is amply deserved, but it is necessary to take into account the level of engagement required. They are asked to move, to train long hours, sometimes even to modify their physical appearance. It is not comparable to Canadian realityshe says.

In 1996, the Alouettes slap leaders earned $ 50 per game and were not paid for two -hour training sessions twice a week. In 2021, this amount had been adjusted to $ 125 for permanent members and $ 150 for captains, still without compensation for rehearsals. We compensated with community events, which were better paidindicates Annie Larouche.

A wind of change in women’s sport

Today Director General of the Roses of Montreal, in the Northern Super League, Annie Larouche continues to advance the cause of female sport. She was also the first woman to preside over a professional Montreal sports team, the Alliance, in 2021.

Women’s sport has long been seen as a by-product. But we are in the middle of a paradigm change. We realize that by offering them the same resources as to men, female athletes perform just as much.

The SLN has also established a minimum wage of $ 50,000 for its players, in addition to better conditions, especially in terms of maternity leave.

We want to offer an adequate basic salary, improve conditions and, above all, not copy the male model, but rethink from A to Z what a female league can be.