The San Antonio Spurs announced Monday that the Silver Dancers, the team's all-female dance squad disbanded in 2018, will return for the 2026-2027 season. The revival aims to bring back "a meaningful part of Spurs nostalgia and fan experience to a new generation," according to a news release.
Revival Details and Motivation
Jordan Mandelkorn, vice president of marketing, creative and retail for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, stated in the release: "We’re always looking for ways to make the Spurs game-day experience more exciting and engaging for our fans. The Silver Dancers and [the co-ed group] Hype Squad each bring their own energy, skillset and connection to our fans, and we’re excited to expand our entertainment lineup in a way that reflects the spirit of the Spurs both on the court and in the community."
Historical Context: 2018 Replacement
In 2018, the Spurs replaced the Silver Dancers and their director with a "family-friendly co-ed hype team." Shortly after, several other NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee Bucks, eliminated their all-female dance squads. Most teams cited a desire to be more inclusive and incorporate co-ed teams during games.
The changes occurred months after the peak of the "Me Too" movement and around the same time a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader sued the team for being underpaid. Five former Houston Texans cheerleaders also filed lawsuits, alleging bullying and sexual harassment. Many dancers felt teams were eliminating all-female squads in response to these accusations.
Possible Influences: Netflix Docuseries and NBA Finals Jab
The decision to revive the Silver Dancers may be influenced by the success of Netflix's "America’s Sweethearts," a docuseries following the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders that premiered its third season earlier this month. The series' success led the cheerleaders to request a pay raise during filming of the second season. While they received the raise, cheerleader Faith Ward stated it still isn't "enough to survive" on.
The return also follows a comment by James Dolan, CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports and Entertainment and New York Knicks owner, who mocked the Spurs' halftime entertainment during the NBA Finals. Dolan said, "We had Cardi B at halftime for the third game, we have the reunification of Wu-Tang for the fourth game and San Antonio had a dog on a beach ball during their halftime."
Audition Information
Registration to audition for the Silver Dancers and the Spurs' co-ed Hype Squad is open until Sunday. The Spurs declined to make someone available for an interview.
