In the early years of the Dallas Cowboys, in the 1960s, their cheerleading roster resembled the groups at colleges and high schools across America: conservatively-dressed, Pom-Pom-waving pep squads. But starting in the 1970s, Cowboys GM Tex Schramm dreamed up an idea. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were outfitted in short shorts and revealing blue and white tops. The women were beautiful, TV cameras showed them constantly, and the cheerleaders soon became a marketing hit and cultural phenomenon. But above all, the Cheerleaders reinforced the spectacle of live games as all-around entertainment. Famous posters went into circulation of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who also inspired a popular TV movie. Today, cheerleaders across college and pro sports more closely resemble the Cowboys Cheerleaders than their cheerleading ancestors. Since 2006, a reality show has aired on Country Music Television titled “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.”