Rules
Posted on 05/10/2017 12:39:32 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
The Raiderettes had reason to cheer Wednesday, as the the proceeds from a $1.25 million settlement was distributed to nearly 100 women who worked as cheerleaders for the Oakland Raiders
The lawsuit, the first filed on behalf of cheerleaders in the NFL, claimed the Raiders failed to pay their cheerleading squad minimum wage for the hours they worked, failed to pay overtime, and failed to reimburse thousands of dollars of incurred expenses from 2010-14.
Women who danced as Raiderettes for multiple seasons will receive over $20,000.
The class action suit was brought by Raiderettes Lacy T. and Sarah G., whose identities are protected. There were then similar lawsuits filed by members of other NFL dance squads, and teams have adjusted their pay practices.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Rules
What exactly is the law on cheerleaders? Are they really employees of the team, or “independent contractors”?
I heard that some of the girls like these cheerleading gigs because they are looking for a husband. Not that this has any bearing on the lawsuit. Just saying that they knew they weren’t going to get a big paycheck from this but tons of girls try out for these gigs every year. Most don’t make the cut
Figured they were more than compensated in fringe benefits...no?
Lets see -——
You decide you want to make a “vocation” out of a somewhat childish activity... You then pursue that endeavor and accept that it is a flat salary. OK
But then, at some time in the future, you start to think... HEY! I worked a whole lot of hours to get there and to be a part of that... and even though I agreed to a salary - I want more more more... cause it just ain’t fair that I got paid so little to do my youthful activity...
Sigh...
So each girl will get about 12 grand from this. A nice payday but they are hardly getting rich off of this.
“fringe benefits” - I assume you are talking about the complimentary tickets and the attention they get as a scantily-clad “cheerleader”??
And this will quickly move teams to get rid of cheerleaders.
That’s my thought as well.
I don’t want to see anyone mistreated, but it’s a big deal for women to get picked to represent these teams.
It was my understanding that some of them didn’t even get compensation. Perhaps that was not true. I don’t know for sure.
There is a thrill factor involved here, being down on the field at game-time and being adored by millions of fans.
IMO, if the team paid/didn’t pay the girls what was agreed to up front. I don’t even care if the team demanded $500 per game from each of the girls to participate, if that was the agreement up front.
[[Women who danced as Raiderettes for multiple seasons will receive over $20,000.]]
Someone’s math is off- 1,250,000 divided by 100 women is just a little over 12,000 apiece- AND the lawyers are goign to get a huge hunk of that $$
Isn’t this story from two years ago?
IMO < if the team paid/didn’t pay the girls what was agreed to up front..., that's what really mattered here.
Don’t think so, it’s on the SF Chronicles front page... related perhaps?
Their contracts strictly forbid them from socializing in any way with the football players........
I think they are private contractors, or should be. I think teams are stupid to employ them now for fear of Worker’s Comp Claims, salary, unemployment, insurance etc.
At least some teams contract with an entertainment company and the cheerleaders work for the contractor, not the team.
That’s a huge win for the Raiders. That settlement is nothing for them.
Hollywood Henderson bragged he did it with 5 cheerleaders. Are you saying he didn’t?
I have no opinion or knowledge; I would suspect that is a small number. Knowing Oakland. But that has nothing to do with the settlement.
I am saying, the Raiders could have been on the hook for 10-20 times that amount, very easily. There is no bloody way on earth the cheerleaders can be construed an independent contractors. What, they go cheerlead at some stadium of their choice? At a time of their choosing?
A clothing manufacturer who had that many employees, forced them to work O/T and failed to pay them minimum wage for 4 years, never mind 35 years, would be absolutely barbecued in CA.
All teams seem to have them but they are nothing but eye candy....what do they add to the game? I’d say they are a needless expense. After this, clear the bench.
They’ll be getting contacted by the IRS in short order.
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