Kriti Mehrotra
With Netflix’s ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ giving us a deep insight into the world of what it really means to be an NFL cheerleader, we get a show unlike any other. It truly does shine a light upon not only the efforts, the grace, and the hard work of these women but also their sacrifices, especially as it turns out that they are often barely paid a livable wage. They have to have at least 2 or 3 full-time jobs, but that’s, of course, not the case for the woman who actually brings this team together, making us wonder more about her career, income, and net worth.
How Does Kelli Finglass Earn Her Money?
It was December 30, 1964, when Kelli McGonagill was born in Lindale, Texas, making her a true fan of the Cowboys and their cheerleading organization from the get-go. After all, she was just a young girl when she first developed an interest in the world of cheer and dance, which even resulted in her pursuing a degree in Modern Dance at Texas Christian University after she graduated from Lindale High School. From there, she attended the University of North Texas for a Bachelor’s in International Marketing, all the while continuing to dance to her heart’s content. This is when Kelli became a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1984, unaware that her skills, as well as her dedication to the organization as a whole, would help her break all bounds.
In fact, Kelli was the first cheerleader in history to be invited back without having to go through the customary audition process, and she danced for a total of five seasons without breaks until 1989. However, although she left the squad, she didn’t leave the company, as Jerry Jones hired her to be the Assistant Director of the DCC, under the tutelage of the renowned Director Suzanne Mitchell. Less than a year later, Kelli evolved and climbed the ladder to an executive position in the sales and promotions department before being promoted to Director of the Cheerleaders in 1991. She has held this significant title since then, meaning she has nearly 34 years of experience as of writing, and she has truly done a lot for the organization to show for it.
Kelli has inadvertently taken on the role of business manager, too, working alongside Owner/Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones, to grow it into a business that has sponsors and even does public appearances. As if that’s not enough, it is under her that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders became not just a national but an international brand that is now more iconic than ever. She has even helped the brand create/refine different camps and competitions, including the DCC Dance & Drill Team Competitions, Camp DCC, Cheers for Years, and Cheers for Fitness. Furthermore, when the brand was given an opportunity to first come into the world of entertainment by CMT with ‘Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team’ (2006- 2021), she was an executive producer too.
Kelli Finglass’ Earnings and Net Worth
Considering the fact that Kelli Finglass has been involved with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for more than four decades as of writing, it’s no surprise she has managed to accumulate significant wealth. She definitely didn’t make much during her cheerleading years from 1984 to 1989—back then, cheerleaders reportedly earned about $15–$20 per hour or roughly $500 per game on average. Even in 2024, those figures remained modest until a recent 400% pay increase was reportedly negotiated. So, it’s safe to say Kelli’s early years on the squad weren’t financially rewarding.
However, things took a serious turn once she stepped into the business side of operations. Becoming a full-time professional in the DCC organization was a game-changer. As the long-standing Director of the DCC, the woman who helped transform the team into a global brand, it’s estimated that Kelli earns around $250,000 per year—a reasonable guess considering her role and influence.
Beyond her directorial responsibilities, Kelli has been at the forefront of the DCC’s media expansion as both an executive producer and cast member of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team for its entire multi-season run. This role likely earned her substantial compensation, not just in the form of a fixed salary but also through profit sharing and residuals over the years. Now that the show is being revived on Netflix, her media presence is only expanding.
In fact, Kelli is now evolving into a full-fledged public figure and digital influencer. With over 220,000 followers on Instagram and 13,000 followers on TikTok, she commands a respectable digital footprint. Under platforms’ Creator Funds, she likely earns about $0.50 per 1,000 views, so even with a modest 500,000 views a month, she brings in a few thousand dollars a year just from viewership. Add to that her brand deals—like those with BeautyPie—and you’re looking at a few more thousand annually through sponsorships and promotions.
Taking all of this into account—the cheerleading origins, decades-long DCC leadership, television production credits, growing influencer status, and likely investments and assets as a married mother of two—it’s fair to estimate Kelli Finglass’ net worth to be around $4 million.
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