Which NFL Team Hired the First Professional Cheerleading Squad?

It’s the early 1970s. The NFL is loud, gritty, and overwhelmingly focused on brute strength. Helmets crash. Crowds roar. The sidelines? Pretty quiet.

Then suddenly… something changes.

Pom-poms appear. Choreography sharpens. The energy shifts. And without realizing it, the NFL sideline is about to become part sports, part showtime.

So the big trivia question is:  Which NFL team hired the first professional cheerleading squad?

Before Professional Cheerleaders Existed

In the early days of football, cheerleaders were mostly:

• College students
• Volunteers
• Informal pep leaders
  

They weren’t paid.
They weren’t trained like performers.
And they definitely weren’t a brand.

NFL teams focused on the field. Entertainment was an afterthought.

Until one team thought… what if it wasn’t?

The Game-Changing Team: The Dallas Cowboys

Image: Dallas-cowboys-NFL-Team-Cheerleaders

The Dallas Cowboys is the first NFL team to hire a professional cheerleading squad.

In 1972, the Cowboys introduced something the league had never seen before: a fully professional cheerleading squad, complete with auditions, contracts, training, and media presence.

They weren’t just cheering. They were performing. And the NFL would never look the same again.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders quickly became:

• Highly trained dancers
• Carefully selected performers
• Nationally recognized icons

This wasn’t accidental. The Cowboys wanted:

• More fan engagement
• A stronger game-day atmosphere
• A brand people remembered even after the final whistle

It worked. Almost too well.

From Sidelines to Superstars

Once cameras caught on, everything escalated.

The cheerleaders began appearing in:

• Television specials
• USO tours
• Magazine features
• Merchandise
  

They weren’t just part of the team. They became part of American pop culture.

Soon, other NFL teams started paying attention.

The Copycat Effect Across the NFL

After Dallas proved the concept, the rest of the league followed.

Teams began creating:

• Professional audition processes
• Uniform standards
• Dance squads instead of traditional cheerleaders

By the late 1970s and 1980s, professional cheerleading was officially an NFL tradition.

But Dallas always held the “first” title.

Uniforms That Made History

Another surprise layer?

The iconic NFL cheerleader look didn’t evolve slowly.
It arrived fully formed.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders introduced:

• Coordinated outfits
• Recognizable color schemes
• Uniforms designed for performance and branding

Love them or debate them, they became instantly recognizable.

Do NFL Cheerleaders Get Paid?

Here’s the reality check.

Despite being professional performers:

• Most NFL cheerleaders are paid per game
• Salaries vary widely by team
• Many cheerleaders have full-time jobs outside football

Professional? Yes.
Highly paid celebrities? Usually no.

And yet… auditions remain fiercely competitive.

The Cowboys didn’t just hire cheerleaders. They introduced a sports entertainment strategy.

That one decision:

• Changed how fans experienced games
• Added performance to professional sports
• Created one of the most recognizable sports brands ever

All from a sideline idea that seemed small at the time.

Today’s NFL Cheerleading World

Now you’ll find:

• Dance teams
• Mixed-gender squads
• Global fan followings
• Social media stars

But it all traces back to one moment in 1972.

One team. One decision.

FAQs

Who has the best cheerleaders in the NFL?

Many fans point to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, but teams like the Raiderettes and Miami Dolphins are also highly praised.

Who are the best NFL cheerleaders?

“Best” is subjective, often based on performance skill, popularity, and legacy.

What is the hardest NFL cheerleading team to make?

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are widely considered the most competitive to join.

What are the top NFL cheerleading teams?

Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles are frequently ranked high.

How much do professional cheerleaders get paid?

NFL cheerleader pay varies, often ranging from per-game payments to annual contracts depending on the team.

How much do cheerleaders make in the NFL?

Most earn a few hundred dollars per game, with additional pay for appearances.

What do NFL cheerleader uniforms look like?

They are team-branded outfits designed for performance, visibility, and tradition.

Are NFL cheerleader outfits the same across teams?

No. Each team designs its own uniforms to match branding and culture.

Who are the most popular NFL cheerleaders?

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders remain the most globally recognized.

Are NFL cheerleaders considered professionals?

Yes. They audition, train, perform, and represent their teams professionally.

Now when someone asks which NFL team hired the first professional cheerleading squad, you know the answer — and the story behind it.

It wasn’t just cheerleading.
It was the birth of a whole new sideline era.