Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Sue My Chemical Romance Over Hollywood Bowl Costume Dispute

Key points

• Pro Silver Star filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in Dallas County, Texas, on Friday, October 24, 2026.
• My Chemical Romance performed at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, as part of a five-night residency celebrating the 20th anniversary of 'The Black Parade.'
• During the performance of 'Teenagers,' dancers wore white and blue uniforms resembling the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' iconic attire and engaged in a staged firefight with rifles.
• Pro Silver Star stated that audience members and online commentators mistakenly believed the performers were the actual Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, leading to widespread social media confusion.
• The band continued to use the costumes in subsequent shows, including a Friday night performance, despite the legal action.
• Pro Silver Star emphasized it was 'not litigious' and did not object to the band's music or artistic message, only to the use of the specific uniform design.

Background

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, established in 1961, recently unionized with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association, marking the first active cheerleading union in professional sports since 2014. This development followed years of pay disputes and increased public scrutiny from the Netflix series 'America's Sweethearts.' The current legal dispute with My Chemical Romance adds to the ongoing conversation about the brand's commercial value and public perception, particularly as the squad negotiates a formal contract with the NFL franchise, which is valued at $17 billion.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and Rolling Stone report that Pro Silver Star filed a temporary restraining order after My Chemical Romance used dancers in Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-style uniforms during a staged shootout at the Hollywood Bowl. Both outlets note that the band continued the performance despite the legal action. Contactmusic.com highlights the visual spectacle of the performance, describing the dancers as 'special guests' who defended the band with fake rifles. Fox News, through its Screencaps column, features a reaction from a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders alum, Stephanie Roberts, who expressed frustration but clarified that the actual cheerleaders were not present at the concert. The sources generally agree on the facts of the performance and the legal filing, but differ in emphasis: NBC and Rolling Stone focus on the legal and brand protection aspects, while Contactmusic and Fox News highlight the public reaction and the visual nature of the performance.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the tension between artistic expression and trademark protection in live performances. It also underscores the growing commercial value and public perception of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders brand, particularly as the squad navigates new labor agreements and increased media scrutiny. The case may set a precedent for how bands and performers can use recognizable uniforms or costumes in live shows without infringing on trademark rights.

What to watch

My Chemical Romance is scheduled to perform at the Hollywood Bowl again on Saturday, October 25, and twice over Halloween weekend. The outcome of the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction will determine whether the band can continue using the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-style uniforms in future performances. Pro Silver Star has stated it is open to alternative costume designs, but the band has not yet confirmed any changes to its performance.