If you ever had a chance to attend an NBA game you definitely know that is much more than just basketball. The NBA makes sure that the fans are entertained from the moment they approach the arena until the end of the game. There is no vacuum space when you can focus on anything else than what the NBA offers you.

The main characters that entertain the fans before the game starts, during timeouts or halftime are the cheerleaders.

If you watch the games on TV you might miss out on their impact on the NBA experience and they certainly deserve much more attention. Very few understand how vital the cheerleaders are to the overall process. They’re always there on the sidelines cheering on their respective teams. NBA cheerleaders entertain fans with flawless dance routines and energetic cheers. They get the energy pumping in an arena, and they get fans even more excited to watch a game.

In addition to appearing at every NBA game, they also perform at charity events, as well as other community functions to help market their NBA team. They may also do some modeling and public speaking in their role.

To become an NBA cheerleader demands a lot of talent and even more work, just like the athletes do. They spend hours and hours rehearsing and practicing every single day.

Plus, they always need to look good and smile while they are working which not many of us are capable to do.

It’s a high-energy, and physically demanding job that’s great for someone who loves dancing and performing. If you have been taking dance classes your entire life, you may be prepared to successfully audition. If not, you should take dance classes that match the style of dancing done on the court.

Classes such as hip-hop or modern dance are more beneficial than tap or ballroom dancing. Some NBA cheerleading teams offer prep classes before their auditions, which will give you the best idea of the team’s dance style. In addition to a background in dance, it’s helpful to have a fitness routine in place, since you will work out nonstop as an NBA cheerleader. Much like any athlete, strengthening your body will help you minimize injuries and maintain stamina.

So we all know that there is a lot of money involved in the NBA and therefore we assume that the cheerleaders get their piece of cake but unfortunately, it is not like that. The fame of cheerleading for an NBA team may not actually match the expected salary that an NBA cheerleader would expect to earn.

So, how much do NBA cheerleaders make? The median hourly wage for dancers working in spectator sports, including NBA cheerleaders, is $14.58.

To make the performance perfect, cheerleaders put effort into choreographing and practicing their dance steps. Some reports announced that some organizations paid their cheerleaders for attending the practice and some didn’t. Most NBA cheerleaders practice eight hours per week. Some cheerleader teams get a stipend of $30-$50 per session but others are getting an overall payment per game.

Like every player in the team, cheerleaders are required to be in the arena hours before tip-off to apply some finishing touches on their routines, get dressed, and be ready to entertain the crowd. Some reports said that the cheerleader’s schedule is 3-8 hours and if you hear that they make between $70 and $150, you may say that their salary is too low or the owners of the franchise are too selfish. 

NBA cheerleaders are typically paid a stipend per game, with more earned for championship games and special events. When accounting for unpaid rehearsals, practices, appearances at other events, and the investment in personal appearance, an NBA cheerleaders’ salary is surprisingly low.

Still, the job comes with a lot of perks. One such perk is an extra pay bump if you get selected to cheer in the NBA All-Star Game, with travel expenses covered as well. Cheerleaders also get more money to cheer if their teams make the playoffs and are given free tickets to games and free parking at the arena. Some even get their travel expenses paid for to and from games and special events.

NBA cheerleaders work for a specific NBA team, but during their careers, they may move around. They can even move between professional sports, becoming NFL cheerleaders, as well. NBA cheerleaders are typically considered contract employees, and as such, do not receive insurance or other benefits. They may receive perks such as travel to games around the world, free game tickets, and free clothing and other products.

Since it is not a full-time job, many NBA cheerleaders maintain a full- or part-time job, in addition to their dancing responsibilities, so that they may maintain a more steady income. Some are cheerleaders while they are in college, and others are cheerleaders when they are stay-at-home moms. Although most pursue a career as an NBA cheerleader for their love of dance, cheerleaders also gain skills in leadership, teamwork, public speaking, and confidence.

Cheerleaders get a bonus on their paycheck if they get selected for cheerleading in the NBA All-Star game. Additionally, they can make another $2,000 during the NBA Playoffs if there is a 7 game series. And of course, NBA cheerleaders get free to travel – flights, hotel, and per diem for food, and also get free guest tickets for friends and family to each NBA game, as well as free parking for the matches.

So if you are thinking that the cheerleader salaries are too low, you might be right and you are not alone.

In 2017, Lauren Herington sued the Milwaukee Bucks for violating the U.S labor standards act. Herington reported that she was paid $30 per practice, $65 per game, and a special appearance fee of $50 per event. Herington puts her forty hours per week in cheering, without overtime and when she calculated her pay, the results were $4.50/hour. It is below the minimum wage rate which is $7.25 per hour.

This case is not only happening in the NBA but also in some sports leagues like the NFL. Other sports organizations disbanded their cheerleading team rather than giving them a raise and it is not a good thing to do.