By Jordan S. Azcue
The idea that cheerleaders would cheer at professional football games primarily to garner the prestige and adoration of being an NFL cheerleader is apparently coming to an end.
Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have independently filed lawsuits against the NFL, alleging unfair work conditions and unfair pay on the basis of gender.
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have also challenged the NFL for mistreatment. Erica Wilkins, former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, is suing for lost wages and says she is trying to set an example for other professional cheerleaders.
At the age of 16, Wilkins was approached by a Dallas Cowboys scout and was encouraged to audition for the cheer team when she turned 18. Wilkins declined due to her college aspirations. But after graduating, she auditioned and made the team.
Wilkins’ lawsuit states that she made $8 per hour for cheer practice and appearances, totaling about $4,700 annually. Wilkins’ income is considerably lower than the Dallas Cowboy’s mascot, Rowdy, whose salary is $65,000 a year. She also claims that she was not paid for her overtime hours.
Wilkins was given the opportunity to be compensated for her lost wages, but she declined. She wanted to make a difference for not only her fellow cheerleaders, but also working women in general.
“I could’ve settled with the Cowboys for just my back wages and unpaid wages that they owed me — they offered that,” Wilkins told the media. “But I am not willing to settle… My goal is to help other cheerleaders, and women as a whole.”
Cheerleaders are expected to upkeep a cosmetic appearance without financial help. They are also spending much of their time training and performing. Some women quit their jobs because they are struggling to make ends meet.
Although cheerleaders do not feel they are being treated fairly, they claim that they have been too timid in the past to speak up for themselves for fear of losing a position they have worked hard to attain.
“People just live in a constant state of fear. But everyone’s too afraid to say anything because, unlike the players, we don’t sign a contract that guarantees us anything,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins suffered from a neck and shoulder injury that resulted in her retiring from professional cheerleading. Although she could not perform any longer, she said she saw it as an opportunity to help the cheerleaders that have been living in fear.
“I believe that that was God giving me this freedom that I needed to speak out,” said Wilkins.
Houston Texans Cheerleaders Sue, Too
Wilkins’ example may have empowered five Houston Texans cheerleaders to sue the NFL as well.
The NFL received a letter from Gloria Allred, the attorney for the cheerleaders, claiming, “cheerleaders are being exploited and mistreated solely because they are women.”
The Texans cheerleaders claimed they were not paid the $7.50 per hour they agreed upon for work duties including travel, mandatory training, fan interactions, and cosmetic game preparation.
Mental and emotional abuse is another claim the cheerleaders have made. In addition, the Houston Texans cheer coach has been accused of making inappropriate comments about their physical appearance and not taking proper precautions about their safety regarding fan interactions.
The Texans team’s spokesman, Amy Palcic, said in a statement, “we are constantly evaluating our procedures and will continue to make adjustments as needed to make the program enjoyable for everyone.”
Cheerleaders throughout the NFL are pursuing litigation with mixed results. Some teams have cooperated, while others are still fighting the lawsuits.
The Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints cheerleaders have filed similar complaints. Cheerleaders for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals reached settlements for close to $1 million in 2015.
