Kelli Finglass’s net worth will likely hit $5 million by 2024, substantially higher than her $1.5 million value in 2023. Most NFL cheerleaders make just $15-20 per hour or about $500 per game. But Kelli has reshaped the scene by moving from cheerleader to becoming the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Director since 1991.
Our research shows her earnings are nowhere near limited to her director role. On top of that, she has created several revenue streams through mutually beneficial alliances with Nike and Revolve, merchandise sales, and content creation. Her business savvy has helped her attract 5 million Instagram followers and 7 million on TikTok. Her YouTube channel, which started in 2018, quickly drew over 1 million subscribers in just a year. Let’s learn about her incredible trip and financial success that led to her growing wealth.
Kelli Finglass: From Cheerleader to Director
Kelli McGonagill Finglass, a native of East Texas, started her trip with the Dallas Cowboys organization in 1984. She joined their cheerleading squad at just 19 years old. Her talent and dedication made her stand out among her peers. She cheered for four seasons and made history as the first Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader ever to be invited back without going through the customary audition process during her fifth and final season.
Leadership didn’t come to Finglass by chance. She built a strong foundation by studying modern dance at Texas Christian University (TCU). She later earned her bachelor’s degree in international marketing from the University of North Texas. This mix of artistic training and business education became a great asset in her career path.
Her professional path with the Cowboys organization grew faster after her cheerleading days. Jerry Jones had just become the owner when he hired her as assistant director to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1989, the same year she retired. She worked in the sales and promotions department before her groundbreaking promotion to director in 1991 at just 27 years old.
Finglass tackled big challenges right from the start as director. Charlotte Jones noted the squad was in “financial disarray” when Finglass took charge. She turned things around quickly. By her second season, she made the cheerleaders profitable through smart sponsorships, merchandising initiatives, and careful money management.
She brought remarkable vision to her new role. She wrote down bold goals on a yellow legal pad. These included creating a DCC Barbie, producing calendars, getting the cheerleaders to perform on Saturday Night Live, and having the iconic uniform recognized by the Smithsonian. Many of these dreams came true under her leadership.
Finglass has managed to keep “a delicate balance between trailblazing and tradition” for over three decades. Her business mindset has taken the DCC brand worldwide. She created many revenue streams that ended up contributing to both her personal success and the organization’s growth.
How Much Does Kelli Finglass Make?
Kelli Finglass has left an incredible mark on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization, yet her actual compensation package remains a bit of a mystery. Many people wonder about her director position’s financial details, especially when compared to what the cheerleaders earn.
No one publicly knows her exact salary, but reliable sources have made some educated guesses. One report puts her annual earnings at around $1.5 million. Other industry experts suggest a lower figure in the six-figure range.
The pay gap between Finglass and her cheerleaders stands out. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders make $15-20 per hour or $500 per game, which adds up to about $75,000 yearly. They’re the highest-paid NFL cheerleaders, but their earnings are nowhere near the $90,000 needed to live well in most U.S. cities in 2024.
Her director salary isn’t her only income source. She’s a popular keynote speaker who gets paid well for corporate event appearances. She speaks about football, business, marketing, women’s empowerment, and sports coaching.
TV has made her even more famous. She led the creation of “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” and Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts,” which boosted her public profile. These shows add to her overall earnings.
Finglass’s financial success comes from her sharp business sense. She took over as director at 27 and turned the cheerleading squad from losing money into making profits. She launched successful ventures like the DCC Calendar collection, youth camps, licensed merchandise, exercise videos, and commercial appearances. These projects have brought in big money for both the organization and herself.
Kelli Finglass Net Worth in 2025
Financial experts project Kelli Finglass’s net worth will reach $1.5 million by 2025. Recent estimates suggest this figure could climb to $1.7 million due to her expanding business ventures. Her journey from a modestly paid cheerleader to this level of wealth shows remarkable progress.
Her annual salary stands at $1.5 million, which powers her financial growth. Industry analysts believe her director compensation package reaches six figures. She also earns more through additional income streams.
Kelli’s role as Senior Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders has helped her create multiple income sources. She secured “lucrative corporate sponsorships” for the organization. A notable example is the three-year deal with retailer Belk. This partnership included official wardrobe provisions for Kelli, which boosted both her personal brand and the squad’s image.
She also “developed innovative merchandising programs and products” that bring in substantial revenue. Her business skills turned what used to drain money into a profitable venture for the Dallas Cowboys. The organization now boasts a value of $9.2 billion and generated revenue over $1 billion in 2022.
The gap between Kelli’s wealth and cheerleader earnings tells an interesting story. While she enjoys a seven-figure net worth, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders earn $15-20 per hour or $500 per game. This adds up to about $75,000 annually. Though this represents “the most competitive pay in the NFL system”, it falls short of the $90,000 needed to live comfortably in most U.S. cities as of 2024.
Kelli’s wealth continues to grow as she builds new partnerships. Her recent deal with Rent the Runway strengthens her position in both cheerleading and entertainment industries.
Conclusion
Kelli Finglass exemplifies remarkable career progress and financial expertise in sports entertainment. She transformed her role from a $500-per-game cheerleader to a director with a million-dollar salary through strategic vision and business knowledge. Her three-decade leadership turned the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from a financial burden into a profitable venture while building substantial personal wealth.
Her success story stands out against typical NFL cheerleader earnings of $15-20 per hour. She created a multimillion-dollar career path through smart business decisions and brand growth. Her marketing degree without doubt provided the foundation to create valuable partnerships with major brands like Nike and Revolve.
Finglass utilized her cheerleading background as a springboard to greater achievements. She wrote her ambitious goals on a yellow legal pad early in her career—from creating DCC Barbies to Smithsonian recognition. Most of these goals materialized through her persistent dedication and entrepreneurial drive.
Her financial growth from $1.5 million in 2023 to a projected $5 million by 2024 shows more than personal success. Her story demonstrates the value of institutional knowledge and organizational loyalty while knowing how to balance tradition with state-of-the-art ideas. Finglass’s wealth serves as evidence of her individual merit and provides a blueprint to transform talents into sustainable business ventures.
FAQs
Q1. What is Kelli Finglass’s current role with the Dallas Cowboys? Kelli Finglass currently serves as the Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, a position she has held since 1991. She oversees all aspects of the cheerleading squad, including recruitment, training, and brand management.
Q2. How much does Kelli Finglass earn annually? While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, estimates suggest that Kelli Finglass’s annual salary as Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is around $1.5 million. This is significantly higher than the average NFL cheerleader’s earnings.
Q3. How did Kelli Finglass transition from cheerleader to director? After cheering for five seasons, Finglass was hired as an assistant director in 1989. She then moved to the sales and promotions department before being promoted to director in 1991 at the age of 27, showcasing her leadership skills and business acumen.
Q4. What is Kelli Finglass’s estimated net worth in 2025? Financial experts project Kelli Finglass’s net worth to reach approximately $1.7 million by 2025. This wealth accumulation is attributed to her salary, business ventures, and various income streams related to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders brand.
Q5. How has Kelli Finglass impacted the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization? Finglass has transformed the cheerleading squad from a financial burden into a profit center through strategic sponsorships, merchandising initiatives, and brand expansion. She has also developed innovative programs and products, securing partnerships with major brands and elevating the squad’s global recognition.