The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are pursuing legal action, claiming that their brand has been infringed upon by the band My Chemical Romance.
The crux of the lawsuit revolves around the band’s performance during their “Long Live: The Black Parade” tour. On October 23, they performed at the Hollywood Bowl, incorporating cheerleaders in costumes that closely resembled those of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
The lawsuit contends that the costumes and designs were so alike that it was easy for an average person to mistake the cheerleaders on stage for actual members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. This became even more concerning when those cheerleaders participated in a simulated firefight on stage, using fake guns, with some being “shot” as part of the act.
This legal move isn’t about money; rather, the cheerleaders aim to protect their brand. They are requesting a temporary restraining order and an injunction specifically regarding the costumes. A statement from Pro Silver Star, which manages the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, emphasized that they have no issues with My Chemical Romance and support their right to express themselves.
“Silver Star asks only that those performers not wear the DCC Uniform while doing it,” the filing notes. “The universe of alternative costume designs is effectively unlimited.”
You can see their perspective. It might be easy to assume, watching the video, that those cheerleaders are indeed the authentic Cowboys cheerleaders, possibly collaborating with the band. And in this instance, it’s more than just cheering; the cheerleaders are also involved in theatrical elements beyond their usual role.
This lawsuit follows the recent news that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have made history by becoming the first NFL cheerleading group to unionize, which has been recognized by the Cowboys. They are now organized as the “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association” (DCCA) and aim to advocate for equal pay and protect their brand from perceived infringements, like in this situation. Their drive to unionize was partly inspired by their notable success on the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which resulted in significant pay raises for some members while others did not see similar increases.
Regarding the lawsuit, it seems the cheerleaders have valid points. They aren’t asking for My Chemical Romance to overhaul their artistic vision—just to use different cheerleader designs entirely. This way, it helps prevent any mix-up with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
