NBA

How much money do NBA cheerleaders make?

From their perfectly coordinated dances to the atmosphere that they help to build, NBA cheerleaders are a staple of the league, but are they well paid?

DUSTIN BRADFORDEFE

It would be fair to say that professional and college basketball games would simply not be the same if cheerleaders weren’t part of the show. Not only do they put on electrifying performances, but they - along with the mascot we have to say - provide an energy that is infectious. Yet, as much as you might think they are well compensated for their role, that’s not actually the case.

The average salary for NBA cheerleaders

Most, if not all, cheerleaders in the NBA are professionally trained and to that end, are highly skilled dancers, who perform a whole host of technical dance routines that serve to make NBA games that much better for the fans who attend them.

Much like the players themselves, cheerleaders practice daily, maintain an active lifestyle, and regularly rehearse their routines. Hence, they perform in regular NBA games, the NBA All-Star game (depending on where the team is located), and other events that are part of their team’s calendar. As you can probably guess, the road to becoming an NBA cheerleader is not one that is easily traversed. For starters, there is the expectation of the franchises and the league itself. Indeed, many past and present cheerleaders have often remarked that maintaining another job is essentially impossible if one wishes to be a full-time participant with a team in the NBA.

Let’s take a look at an overview of what the salary for every match is, how much the bonus pay is, and the annual salary:

New York Knicks Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $650
  • Bonuses – $2,000
  • Annual salary – $35,000

Los Angeles Lakers Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $600
  • Bonuses – $1,500
  • Annual salary – $30,000

Boston Celtics Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $600
  • Bonuses – $1,500
  • Annual salary – $30,000

Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $650
  • Bonuses – $2,000
  • Annual salary – $35,000

Cleveland Cavaliers Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $400
  • Bonuses – $1,000
  • Annual salary – $28,000

Toronto Raptors Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $500
  • Bonuses – $1,000
  • Annual salary – $28,000

Washington Wizards Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $400
  • Bonuses – $1,500
  • Annual salary – $28,000

Milwaukee Bucks Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $350
  • Bonuses – $1,000
  • Annual salary – $22,000

Miami Heat Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $500
  • Bonuses – $1,500
  • Annual salary – $28,000

Indiana Pacers Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $400
  • Bonuses – $1,000
  • Annual salary – $28,000

Los Angeles Clippers Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $350
  • Bonuses – $950
  • Annual salary – $22,000

Minnesota Timberwolves Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $200
  • Bonuses – $700
  • Annual salary – $15,000

Chicago Bulls Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $200
  • Bonuses – $700
  • Annual salary – $15,000

Golden State Warriors Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $550
  • Bonuses – $1,000
  • Annual salary – $30,000

Memphis Grizzlies Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $350
  • Bonuses – $800
  • Annual salary – $22,000

Oklahoma City Thunder Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $250
  • Bonuses – $800
  • Annual salary – $18,000

Orlando Magic Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $200
  • Bonuses – $700
  • Annual salary – $15,000

Philadelphia 76ers Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $200
  • Bonuses – $700
  • Annual salary – $15,000

Phoenix Suns Cheerleaders

  • Salary for Every Match – $200
  • Bonuses – $700
  • Annual salary – $15,000

Consider for a moment that cheerleaders must be present for all special events including international appearances, charity functions, and any other scenarios that the team is part of. The compensation for these events varies from one team to another i.e., teams with bigger budgets can afford to pay them more, while those without, can’t.

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