Update about 'Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner: Petition to provide NFL Cheerleaders with a livable..

[Omaha Steve]

No link. Email.

All,

Thank you for signing and distributing my petition; we are the 2nd Most Popular Petition on Change.org and your support for NFL Cheerleaders is being heard all across the Country, and beyond (Canada, etc)!

I've given my first public interview on Fox 32 News in Chicago last night which will air later tonight. It was a bit overwhelming for me but I remain strong and committed, as these Cheerleaders are scared to speak up and need a voice; they LOVE cheering but need to pay their bills too and they bring so much to the game.

Additionally, my petition and all your valuable signatures & supportive comments have been sent to both NFL Teams; along with each additional signature that's collected here-on out (Change.org is fantastic!). Because of you, countless articles are now being written about this grave pay injustice for these cheerleaders, clearly indicating you're either fans, have some understanding of what's involved in cheerleading or you too can see the wage injustice. My favorite article thus far can be found here: http://www.ibtimes.com/super-bowl-2014-nfl-cheerleader-pay-debate-follows-lawsuit-oakland-raiderette-lacy-t-1547932

With only three days left to go before an exciting Super Bowl, please help me continue to put pressure on both the Denver Broncos & Seattle Seahawks to voluntarily change the way they pay their cheerleaders; setting a long overdue example for the rest of the NFL.

Please join me on continuing with this fight by spreading the word, and together, WE will be successful, as this isn't my petition any more, it's ours!

Cheers,

Diane

[Egnever]

1. What do they make now?

I was always under the impression they were well paid.

[OKNancy]

2. $50.00 to $100 a game for most of them

some make more, like the team captains.
They can make extra for personal appearance.
The worst part is no pay for rehearsal time.

[Egnever]

3. Holy crap really?

Why in the word would anyone do that?

[Omaha Steve]

4. The shockingly low pay for NFL cheerleaders

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024383196

The shockingly low pay for NFL cheerleaders

High-school cheerleaders rule the halls, commanding the admiration of every dweeb, dork, and quarterback. But as salaried adults, cheerleaders are at the bottom of the pyramid.

This week, current and former Raiderettes—the cheer squad for the Oakland Raiders—filed suit in the Alameda County Superior Court, claiming that the football team “withholds all pay from the Raiderettes until after the season is completed, does not pay for all hours worked and forces the cheerleaders to pay many of their own business expenses,” according to the San Jose Mercury News.

The Raiderettes’ lawyer, who is demanding tens of thousands of dollars in back-pay, said the cheerleaders make only $1,250 a year, or less than $5 an hour, and they’re fined for minor lapses like bringing the wrong pom-poms to rehearsals or for “not turning in written biographies on time.” One of the plaintiffs added that the team also makes the women foot their own hair, makeup, travel, and photo expenses.

The Raiders, though, are far from the only—or even the worst—offenders when it comes to cheaping out on cheerleaders. San Diego Chargers cheerleaders get $75 for each home game, along with two game tickets and one parking pass. The Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders make $100 for each of 10 (mandatory) performances at home games. That includes showing up five hours before the game starts, practicing twice a week for three hours from April through January, and participating in a “training camp” each June.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/shockingly-low-salaries-professional-cheerleaders-130000752.html

[mercuryblues]

6. you would think

but the exact opposite is true.

Lacy alleges that the Raiders seriously underpay the 40 or so professional dancers who make up the squad each year. Each earns a grand total of about $1,250 for a 10-game season, plus three practices per week, plus at least 10 public appearances, plus participation in the Raiderettes calendar photo shoot. Lacy figures she has been paid less than $5 an hour, a violation of the state’s minimum wage law.

<snip>

A section called “Rehearsal Absentee and Missed Games Policy” lists fines incurred for missed rehearsals. Oddly--or perhaps illegally, as Lacy T.’s lawsuit claims--cheerleaders are not compensated at all for their thrice weekly rehearsals. That means any fines for missed practices are deducted from the paltry $125 they earn for each home game.

http://www.latimes.com/local/abcarian/la-me-ra-super-secret-oakland-raider-cheerleaders-handbook-revealed-20140127,0,3800882.story#ixzz2rvYCxAGU

The club controls our hairstyle and makeup, and we have to foot the bill," she said. "We also have to pay the costs for traveling to all kinds of events, including photo shoots ... I love the Raiders and I love being a Raiderette, but someone has to stand up for all of the women of the NFL who work so hard for the fans and the teams."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10334429/cheerleaders-file-suit-oakland-raiders-wage-theft-unfair-employment-practices

[The2ndWheel]

5. "and they bring so much to the game"

Not really. At least not anymore. Maybe at one time when it was more difficult to see women wearing small amounts of clothing. Not sure if they really lead cheers either.

If they can get more money, more power to them. They're not really needed though.

[libdem4life]

7. Here we go ... women's pay issues oozing out into the light of day ... so many ways to underpay.

Cheerleaders...excellent distinction between the high school popular crowd, and the adult women who need to pay bills, raise kids, etc. Maybe they think they have such good access to the rich men/players they are cheering on, that they can snag one and get an automatic marital raise or something.

So thankful to the cheerleader who lead the way...what courage. I don't know the issues, but if it's another crack in the equal pay divide, I'm on board. I'm sure the rousing applause and the President's statements on Equal Pay for Women will help them get what's due.