The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are not cheering about a recent concert performance. Their parent company, Pro Silver Star, has filed a temporary restraining order against the rock band My Chemical Romance, alleging the group used unauthorized copies of the iconic DCC uniforms during a live show.
The legal action, filed on October 23, seeks to stop the band from featuring dancers dressed in outfits that closely mimic the cheerleaders' signature look—white boots, blue-starred vests, and all—during their performances. The filing specifically points to the band's opening night at the Hollywood Bowl on October 21, where dancers appeared in what Pro Silver Star calls "counterfeit uniforms" during the song "Teenagers."
According to the filing, the dancers performed a choreographed routine while holding blue-and-white pom-poms, but things took a darker turn when they were handed rifles and participated in a staged firefight, with some performers depicting being shot and crawling off stage. The company's legal team made it clear they are not objecting to the band's music, choreography, or even the theatrical use of firearms—only to the unauthorized use of the DCC uniform.
"Silver Star asks only that those performers not wear the DCC Uniform while doing it," the filing states. "The universe of alternative costume designs is effectively unlimited."
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have built a brand centered on dedication, character, and community, including decades of entertaining American troops. The filing argues that the concert performance placed that brand in a violent context, saying, "The brand DCC built on dedication, character, and community, and on decades of entertaining American troops, was thus put on a stage in a gunfight, its uniform worn by performers shown shooting and being shot."
This isn't the first time the cheerleaders have found themselves in the spotlight off the field. Recently, one of their members stole the Monday night spotlight with a swimsuit photo, and the squad has been crowned the NFL's most 'perfect' sideline star. But this legal battle is a different kind of attention.
My Chemical Romance has not publicly responded to the filing. The band, known for hits like "Welcome to the Black Parade," has a theatrical stage presence that often includes elaborate costumes and props. However, the cheerleaders' parent company is drawing a clear line when it comes to their trademarked look.
Legal experts say the case could hinge on whether the band's use of similar uniforms constitutes trademark infringement or parody. The outcome may set a precedent for how sports teams protect their branding in entertainment contexts.
As the situation develops, fans on both sides are watching closely. For now, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are making it clear: their uniforms are off-limits, even for rock 'n' roll theatrics.
