4 more former Ben-Gals join wage lawsuit

[theguru]

Some cheerleaders involved in the suits claim the NFL’s poor record of punishment for domestic abuse is part of a pattern that includes cheerleaders working long hours for less than minimum wage for a league that brings in billions of dollars in revenue.

 

4 more former Ben-Gals join wage lawsuit | www.daytondailynews.com

[ggclfan]

Some cheerleaders involved in the suits claim the NFL’s poor record of punishment for domestic abuse is part of a pattern that includes cheerleaders working long hours for less than minimum wage for a league that brings in billions of dollars in revenue.

 

4 more former Ben-Gals join wage lawsuit | www.daytondailynews.com

 

I hope they win a lot of money. The NFL owners are some of the greediest people on the planet. They complain when cities don't go into big time debt to finance their stadiums and they have a product that prints mega money and then they won't even pay some of their employees a decent wage. The NFL owners should be ashamed of a lot of things, this being one of them...

[theguru]

I hope they win a lot of money. The NFL owners are some of the greediest people on the planet. They complain when cities don't go into big time debt to finance their stadiums and they have a product that prints mega money and then they won't even pay some of their employees a decent wage. The NFL owners should be ashamed of a lot of things, this being one of them...

 

I disagree disagree disagree and I am not alone. From our old thread on this here is what two former Ben-gals had to say:

 

I cheered for the Bengals organization for 6 seasons, cheering 60 games at Paul Brown Stadium, a Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio and my most memorable game at the 2010 ProBowl. I made side captain my third season, and Head Captain my fifth season. I participated in six calendar shoots and was honored to get the cover in 2007. I had the opportunity to meet people around the tri-state by participating in charitable organizations such as raising over 1500 toys for Toys forTots, going to Children's Hospital and spending time with children, amongst many other charities. I went to Seattle, Washington to visit the base and be submerged on a submarine. I was selected to perform with Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow on stage at Riverbend. I was fortunately chosen to do an overseas tour with 8 other women to Germany, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq. While there, we slept in Saddam Hussein's palace, rode in Black Hawks, shot a sniper rifle and brought a piece of home to the selfless soldiers overseas. I met some of the most educated, amazing, elite women in the universe while cheering- three of which will stand beside me as I get married in August. I made everlasting friendships and relationships with many people throughout my six seasons. I had a supportive coach that has loved me unconditionally and was not just my NFL coach, but my life coach. You can't put a price tag on experiences like I've had. We don't do it for the money- we do it for the love and passion of it. The Bengals organization will always hold a special place in my heart and for that, I am grateful. Wealth is in the heart of the mind.

 

AND

 

"My thoughts are that she (Alexa) should have done her research before trying out for the position. It’s not a career or even a job… it’s an extracurricular activity that a lot of women would give their right arm to have."

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/national-football-league/bengals-cheerlearder-suing-271935.html

[MJAlltheWay24]

I say it every time. If I run an NFL franchise, I just cut the cheerleading program and move on.

[ggclfan]

I disagree disagree disagree and I am not alone. From our old thread on this here is what two former Ben-gals had to say:

 

I cheered for the Bengals organization for 6 seasons, cheering 60 games at Paul Brown Stadium, a Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio and my most memorable game at the 2010 ProBowl. I made side captain my third season, and Head Captain my fifth season. I participated in six calendar shoots and was honored to get the cover in 2007. I had the opportunity to meet people around the tri-state by participating in charitable organizations such as raising over 1500 toys for Toys forTots, going to Children's Hospital and spending time with children, amongst many other charities. I went to Seattle, Washington to visit the base and be submerged on a submarine. I was selected to perform with Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow on stage at Riverbend. I was fortunately chosen to do an overseas tour with 8 other women to Germany, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq. While there, we slept in Saddam Hussein's palace, rode in Black Hawks, shot a sniper rifle and brought a piece of home to the selfless soldiers overseas. I met some of the most educated, amazing, elite women in the universe while cheering- three of which will stand beside me as I get married in August. I made everlasting friendships and relationships with many people throughout my six seasons. I had a supportive coach that has loved me unconditionally and was not just my NFL coach, but my life coach. You can't put a price tag on experiences like I've had. We don't do it for the money- we do it for the love and passion of it. The Bengals organization will always hold a special place in my heart and for that, I am grateful. Wealth is in the heart of the mind.

 

AND

 

"My thoughts are that she (Alexa) should have done her research before trying out for the position. It’s not a career or even a job… it’s an extracurricular activity that a lot of women would give their right arm to have."

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/national-football-league/bengals-cheerlearder-suing-271935.html

So are you saying you don't think the NFL owners are very greedy? If so, we will just agree to disagree then. I can go on and on and list a bunch of other things...ticket prices, the insane number of commercials, not wanting to pay the half time entertainers at the Super Bowl, etc.

 

I don't understand why they cannot pay the cheerleaders at least minimum wage for the hours they put in...even if it does open up opportunities for the women. Or if the teams want to get rid of cheerleaders at their games altogether, that is fine too. But if you are going to have them, pay them at least the minimum wage.

[MentschTrachtGottLacht]

I say it every time. If I run an NFL franchise, I just cut the cheerleading program and move on.

Amen!! They are as useless at NFL games as boobs on a bull.

[theguru]

So are you saying you don't think the NFL owners are very greedy? If so, we will just agree to disagree then. I can go on and on and list a bunch of other things...ticket prices, the insane number of commercials, not wanting to pay the half time entertainers at the Super Bowl, etc.

 

I don't understand why they cannot pay the cheerleaders at least minimum wage for the hours they put in...even if it does open up opportunities for the women. Or if the teams want to get rid of cheerleaders at their games altogether, that is fine too. But if you are going to have them, pay them at least the minimum wage.

 

You are trying to change the argument. The cheerleaders all know what they are getting into ahead of time and they benefit from the experience in many ways. Taking legal action after the fact is a joke.

 

Put me with the others, get rid of the cheerleaders, they are completely useless in the NFL.

[frankdracman23]

You are trying to change the argument. The cheerleaders all know what they are getting into ahead of time and they benefit from the experience in many ways. Taking legal action after the fact is a joke.

 

Put me with the others, get rid of the cheerleaders, they are complexly useless in the NFL.

 

I agree. The cheerleaders are told exactly what the position requires and exactly what the pay scale is. They approach the Bengals and try out. They add nothing to the actual game experience and the only good they do is the off the field stuff.

[ggclfan]

You are trying to change the argument. The cheerleaders all know what they are getting into ahead of time and they benefit from the experience in many ways. Taking legal action after the fact is a joke.

 

Put me with the others, get rid of the cheerleaders, they are complexly useless in the NFL.

 

Guru and others who disagree with me, I did not change any argument. You started the thread with the facts from the article and I stated my argument about the NFL owners being a bunch of greedy men and I hope the cheerleaders win. I still feel the same way. I do agree that the cheerleaders add little to the NFL game experience and see no use for them. However, many teams do think they add some value so they have them. All I am saying is that IF you have them, they are entitled to be paid the minimum wage (that is the law of the land), whether they are getting other opportunities or not from the NFL cheerleader experience.

 

In response to them taking legal action after the fact being a joke, the fact that Oakland settled with them for over $1MM proves it is NO JOKE. My guess is that other teams will be doing the same now that the precedent has been set. Look, the NFL owners have been pushing EVERYBODY around for the last 20+ years as the sport has grown in popularity greatly. Fans, sponsors, TV networks, players, etc. have been the nail and the NFL has been the hammer and the NFL knew it and has taken advantage of it. I am glad someone is fighting back a little and winning against these guys.

 

GURU, I agree with you far more often than not, but on this one we just see it differently. No big deal - that's what makes the world go round...

[Clyde]

I say it every time. If I run an NFL franchise' date=' I just cut the cheerleading program and move on.[/quote']

 

Word

[frankdracman23]

I would disband the NFL cheerleaders and invite high schools squads to cheer for service hours.

[ggclfan]

I would disband the NFL cheerleaders and invite high schools squads to cheer for service hours.

 

I actually like that idea.

[futurecoach]

I would disband the NFL cheerleaders and invite high schools squads to cheer for service hours.

 

High school cheerleaders would be a bad idea with all the drinking going on at the game. However I could see just using college cheerleaders for games.

[Clyde]

High school cheerleaders would be a bad idea with all the drinking going on at the game. .

 

Bingo.

[Clyde]

What are the labor laws that come into play here? If a job has an agreed to pay ( $X per game) do you still have to pay minimum wage?