A Denver Broncos cheerleader has recently drawn attention to the demanding nature of NFL cheerleading and the accompanying pay, sparking renewed calls from fans for better compensation across the league.

Ann-Marie Muscarello shared a social media video contrasting her life as an orthopedic nurse during the week with her weekend role as a cheerleader. The post, captioned "Sunday mornings vs. Monday mornings look a little different 👩🏽‍⚕️📣✨☕️," resonated with many.

Fans expressed admiration for Muscarello's dedication and voiced opinions on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Comments frequently highlighted the disparity between the NFL's revenue and the cheerleaders' wages, with many users advocating for increased pay.

The issue of NFL cheerleader compensation is not new. A 2015 Associated Press report indicated that cheerleaders were earning less than fast-food workers. In 2014, a New York Jets cheerleader filed a lawsuit over an hourly wage of $3.77.

Recent public discourse on the topic has been amplified by the June 2024 debut of the Netflix docuseries "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders." The series explores the lives of the Dallas cheerleaders, many of whom balance full-time jobs and education with their cheerleading commitments.

The increased visibility from the documentary has had tangible effects. Reece Weaver, a former Dallas cheerleader, is scheduled to make her Broadway debut in "Chicago" this fall. Following the series' release, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders reportedly received a 400% raise, with veteran squad members now earning approximately $75 per hour. Cheerleaders are compensated hourly for practices and receive a flat fee for game days, averaging about $150 per game.

However, this pay rate, approximately $22,500 annually, remains significantly lower than the average salary for a registered nurse, which stands at $97,550 per year. NFL cheerleaders are classified as independent contractors hired by individual franchises, rather than by the NFL directly. This structure suggests that broader wage improvements across the league may depend on other teams adopting similar compensation adjustments to those made by the Dallas Cowboys.