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Why pro cheerleading may be one of America’s worst jobs
CBS News ^ | January 24, 2014 | Aimee Picchi

Posted on 01/26/2014 2:41:06 AM PST by Zakeet

Parents, don’t let your girls grow up to be cheerleaders.

That’s just one lesson to be gleaned from a lawsuit filed by a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, a National Football League team, which alleges sub-minimum wage pay and other labor abuses.

While professional cheerleading may seem glamorous, the cheerleaders allegedly earn barely enough to afford their own pom-poms. And, by the way, if they forget their pom-poms, the cheerleaders are reportedly socked with a fine.

[Snip]

The Chargers stress that the role is a part-time job and that cheerleaders “should at least hold a part-time job or attend college part-time.”

With such dismal conditions, why would anyone want to become a cheerleader?

(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cheerleader; inequality; jobs; lawsuit; nfl; waronfootball
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To: jsanders2001
But then they wouldn't have a chance to become F-A-M-O-U-S

Nailed it.

21 posted on 01/26/2014 5:29:40 AM PST by GreenAccord (Bacon Akbar)
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To: Zakeet

Professional Football Cheerleading is not a carreer. It’s an extra ciricular activity as they phold other jobs. I worked with a Redskinette back when,


22 posted on 01/26/2014 5:35:38 AM PST by Jimmy Valentine's brother ("When leftists donÂ’t get their way, they start shooting people and bombing buildings." - rr)
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To: woodbutcher1963
It must be horrible to be a Jaguars cheerleader.


23 posted on 01/26/2014 5:37:27 AM PST by RightFighter (It was all for nothing.)
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To: woodbutcher1963
Here you go:


24 posted on 01/26/2014 5:43:04 AM PST by Popman ("Resistance to Tyrants is Obedience to God" - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: jsanders2001

BINGO.

You said it a lot better than I was going to say it.


25 posted on 01/26/2014 5:46:31 AM PST by savedbygrace (But God!)
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To: RightFighter

“Welcome to Hooters, may I get you something to drink?”

I think the poor gals are worried tha they might have to work on Sunday and the Raiders won’t give them the time off.


26 posted on 01/26/2014 5:49:39 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz ("The GOP fights its own base with far more vigor than it employs in fighting the Dims.")
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To: Zakeet

I didn’t realize they were even paid.

I know that the members of the Redskins band are not paid (or at least, they weren’t in the not-so-distant past). They were given four tickets to each home game, including preseason and playoffs (not that that happens much anymore, LOL).

Someone who worked for me was in the band, and would sell them to me for $50 each, then I’d give out to employees on a week-to-week basis. I got to see a playoff game against the Lions once that way.


27 posted on 01/26/2014 5:52:01 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: woodbutcher1963
I only wish my Cowboys would show on the field that they're worthy of having the hottest cheerleaders.


28 posted on 01/26/2014 5:53:26 AM PST by RightFighter (It was all for nothing.)
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To: Zakeet

Because being an NFL cheerleader used to be it’s own reward. At the least it was the fast track to trophy wife.

Those players making 100k a game though, you would think they could pony up and subsidize the cheerleaders.


29 posted on 01/26/2014 6:00:51 AM PST by Usagi_yo
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To: bert

I don’t know how many here actually know a woman that has been a long term cheer leader with one of the more well known groups, but I have.

She is middle aged now, and a VP of Sales for a significant company making six figures. She considers it one of the most formative and educational experiences of her life. She is very proud of the work she did in USO type tours and tells stories about how the discipline and team work translated into the right attitude for a challenging business career.

Members of the minor teams or members of recent years may not have had an experience like her’s but she has countless stories of why she is glad she spent four years at it.


30 posted on 01/26/2014 6:04:04 AM PST by KC Burke (Officially since Memorial Day they are the Gimmie-crat Party.ha)
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To: KC Burke

I have a friend, 71, that was a cheer leader when we were in high school.

She still is, to this day


31 posted on 01/26/2014 6:06:09 AM PST by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... History is a process, not an event)
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To: Zakeet

Do the Raiders drag these poor women from the street and force them to put on skimpy costumes and parade around at gunpoint? If so, why are they paying them at all? If not, then you knew what you were getting into.


32 posted on 01/26/2014 6:31:33 AM PST by cincinnati65
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To: KC Burke

Yes, I was going to mention the Cowboy Cheerleaders on USO tours. If any cheerleaders are reading this, thanks very much for the show way back when. I’m still a fan.

More pictures.


33 posted on 01/26/2014 6:33:41 AM PST by sgtyork (Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy)
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To: Zakeet

Maybe the cheerleaders should watch what they wish for . The Chicago Bears haven’t had cheerleaders since 1985. Not every team has cheerleaders.


34 posted on 01/26/2014 7:03:39 AM PST by motherof 3
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To: Zakeet

Does anyone think these women are concerned about the money? They want to hook a wealthy professional athlete.


35 posted on 01/26/2014 7:10:52 AM PST by caver (Obama: Home of the Whopper)
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To: Zakeet

Anytime I’ve read profiles of cheerleaders, they’ve always been college students or independent business women, who had time to devote to the PT status of the job. Some were even models, so the status of being a pro team’s cheerleader offers more opportunities to market yourself and make money, the same way the pro athlete can get endorsement money outside of his team contract. Maybe these cheerleaders would do better if they had agents.


36 posted on 01/26/2014 7:16:15 AM PST by rabidralph
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To: Zakeet

37 posted on 01/26/2014 7:29:16 AM PST by RightGeek (FUBO and the donkey you rode in on)
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To: jsanders2001
But then they wouldn’t have a chance to become F-A-M-O-U-S....which is the primary goal in the back of their minds when they go pro. I have a friend whose wife is the coordinator for a very well known NFL team. All those girls have stars in their eyes...

They get to meet a bunch of wealthy men (both on the team, and fans). Plus, how many 30-something guys wouldn't like to be able to say "my girlfriend is an NFL cheerleader".

38 posted on 01/26/2014 7:37:23 AM PST by PapaBear3625 (You don't notice it's a police state until the police come for you.)
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To: Zakeet

Perhaps there needs to be a “tip jar” so the spectators can place a dollar or five at the stadium.


39 posted on 01/26/2014 7:53:37 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (Sometimes you need 7+ more ammo. LOTS MORE.)
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To: woodbutcher1963

40 posted on 01/26/2014 7:59:03 AM PST by jpsb (Believe nothing until it has been officially denied)
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