Around the NFL several cheerleading squads are suing their teams for unfair wages and treatment. Those teams include the Jets, the Raiders, the Bills, the Bucs and the Bengals.
One of those teams-the Raiders-have quietly decided to pay their cheering squad $9 an hour, the minimum wage in the state of California.
The announcement didn't come via a press conference, rather the team posted the new pay rate on a flyer for try-outs on their website, a flyer that has since been removed.
Previously the Raiderettes were paid $125 per game for a total of $1,250 (2 preseason, 8 season). The cheerleaders were not compensated for charity events, public appearances, photo shoots, drills, rehearsals, etc. Payment was not received until season's end in January.
The new rate hike doesn't resolve issues of back pay or out of pocket expenses. Currently cheerleaders must pay for tanning, makeup, hair, etc, from their own money.
The suit also does not address harassment and deplorable working conditions. The cheerleaders have complained of groping during charity events, changing in public bathrooms and being subjected to jiggle test and ridiculed for weight gain.
Even with the new pay raise, the lawsuit against the Raiders and the NFL are moving forward. The Buffalo Bills tried to have the case with the former Jills cheerleaders thrown out, but were denied the request, so for now all five lawsuits are moving forward.
The NFL is a multibillion dollar industry. Cheerleaders are a part of that culture and a draw for many. Some fair resolution of this case should be made. If the mascots can make $30K-$60K a year then the cheerleaders can at least receive a federal minimum wage and quality working conditions.
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