The formation of this collective bargaining unit follows years of public scrutiny regarding compensation. While the organization and the squad framed the move as a mutual recognition of the cheerleaders' dedication, the path to this agreement was paved by intense pressure to modernize pay structures. Despite a recent 400% pay raise preceding the 2025 season, the squad remains without employer-provided health insurance, leaving core economic issues unresolved.
Financial transparency moved to the forefront after the Netflix docuseries "America’s Sweethearts" highlighted the discrepancy between the squad's high-profile status and their modest wages. Veteran cheerleader Jada McLean previously reported earning $15 an hour alongside a $500 appearance fee in 2024—a significant shift from the 1990s, when pay was as low as $15 per game. By organizing, the cheerleaders seek to formalize their standing beyond the temporary gains of recent salary adjustments, echoing the short-lived efforts of the Buffalo Jills who attempted similar representation in 1995.
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