Pro Cheer League Leaps onto National TV, Forging a New Pro Sport

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – December 19, 2025 – For decades, the pinnacle of an elite cheerleader’s career was often a collegiate national title or a world championship. After that, the path forward vanished. Now, a new professional horizon is emerging as Varsity Spirit, a global leader in the cheerleading industry, has announced an exclusive multi-year broadcast agreement with Scripps Sports to launch the Pro Cheer League, bringing the sport to a national television audience for the first time.

Under the landmark deal, the league's full inaugural 2026 season and championship will air exclusively on ION, Scripps' national network that reaches virtually every U.S. television household. The move signals a transformative moment for cheerleading, establishing a long-awaited professional pathway for thousands of highly skilled athletes and aiming to redefine public perception of the demanding discipline.

A New Professional Arena

The Pro Cheer League (PCL) is structured to showcase cheerleading as a standalone competitive sport, distinct from the sideline entertainment often associated with professional football or basketball. The league will debut with four city-based teams: the Atlanta Air, Dallas Drive, Golden State Grit (representing San Diego), and Miami Metal. Each roster, finalized after competitive tryouts in the fall of 2025, will feature 24 to 30 of the world's most elite cheer athletes, all aged 18 and older.

These athletes will be compensated as part-time employees, a significant step in professionalizing the sport. The compensation package includes an hourly wage estimated around $40, performance-based bonuses, and full coverage for travel, lodging, uniforms, and practice wear. With seasonal pay projected between $13,000 and $15,000 for the January-to-March season, the league provides a foundational financial model that Varsity Spirit hopes to grow into a more sustainable full-time career. Furthermore, athletes will be permitted to pursue their own individual sponsorships, mirroring the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities that have reshaped collegiate athletics.

The competition itself introduces an all-new format designed for broadcast. Each match consists of four quarters, blending head-to-head, bracket-style skill challenges with a final, high-energy creative routine. Three rounds will focus on compulsory skills like tumbling, stunts, and basket tosses, while the final quarter will feature a 2-3 minute team performance judged on choreography, creativity, and showmanship. This structure, governed by a dedicated league body under Commissioner John Newby, promises a dynamic and strategic spectator experience.

The Strategic Broadcast Play

The partnership with Scripps Sports is a calculated move that places the Pro Cheer League within a rapidly expanding portfolio of emerging sports. For Scripps, this deal is not an outlier but a core component of its strategy to capture niche but passionate fanbases in a crowded media landscape. The network has recently secured broadcast rights for the WNBA, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and several NHL teams, demonstrating a clear vision for diversifying its content beyond traditional sports.

"We've been rapidly expanding our robust portfolio of professional sports and we're thrilled to welcome the Pro Cheer League to ION," said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, in the official announcement. "We look forward to showcasing these world-class athletes in a new professional sports league, combining the high-energy of cheerleading and engaging storytelling that will leave everyone wanting more."

The ION network provides a powerful platform, ensuring the league debuts with maximum visibility. By airing live in an 8 p.m. ET primetime slot, the PCL is positioned not as a fringe event but as mainstream sports entertainment. This national exposure is critical for attracting sponsors, building a broad fanbase beyond the existing cheer community, and solidifying the league's legitimacy.

From Sidelines to Center Stage

This launch represents the culmination of a decade of planning by Varsity Spirit and a cultural shift that increasingly recognizes the athleticism inherent in cheerleading. The creation of a paid professional league offers a "new dream" for young athletes who can now aspire to a career in the sport they love. The initial reaction from the tight-knit cheerleading community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many hailing it as a historic and long-overdue development.

"This agreement with Scripps Sports gives our athletes and fans the national stage they deserve from the moment our first season begins," noted Varsity Spirit President Bill Seely. "Our goal is to not only grow our fanbase but inspire a whole new generation of athletes to turn pro and build a league and career that never before seemed possible."

To maximize this engagement, the league's five-event season is strategically integrated with some of the largest and most prestigious all-star cheerleading competitions in the country. The season kicks off in Indianapolis during the JAMfest Cheer Super Nationals and continues through stops in Atlanta, Houston, and Anaheim, culminating in the PCL Championship in Nashville. This approach allows the league to tap directly into its most dedicated audience while providing a professional spectacle for tens of thousands of youth athletes and their families.

Beyond the live events, the league is focusing heavily on building narratives around its athletes, with plans for unscripted content that follows their journeys. This emphasis on storytelling, combined with a commitment to athlete safety through partnerships like one with Curv AI for performance and health monitoring, underscores the PCL's ambition to build a sustainable, athlete-centric professional sport from the ground up.