The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to recognize a union formed by their cheerleading squad, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Association said.
The association said it will represent the cheerleaders in collective bargaining. The squad is the first known NFL cheerleading team to unionize.
The move follows an earlier effort by veteran cheerleaders to negotiate new contracts with Cowboys officials. Former cheerleader Megan McElaney said on a television series about the squad that those talks led to a 400% pay increase. She later retired after five seasons with the team.
Founded in 1961, the Cowboys cheerleading squad has 36 members. Kelli Finglass is its director, and Judy Tramell is its choreographer.
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