Cheerleading is a sport, and yes, this is coming from a former cheerleader. The requirements to stay in shape, lift heavy objects (people) and maintain a competitive spirit which is everything that embodies a sport, but unfortunately, cheerleaders don’t get the respect or in this case, competitive wages. A group of NY lawmakers are calling out professional teams to acknowledge cheerleaders as their employees and give them fair pay. Cheerleaders are barely making on average $50 per game which to lawmakers, aren’t even meeting established labor laws.
Queens Assemblywoman, Nily Rozic, pinned an open letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, asking for him to start treating Cheerleaders like they deserve.
“Fans, policy makers and lawmakers have a right to know more about how this iconic institution values the women it profits off of,” said Queens Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, a Democrat.
Joining her is former cheerleader Lauren Herington, who sued the Milwaukee Bucks for wage theft. Herington points out that she was paid $5 for working more than 1,00 hours, those hours including games and appearances.
“Teams always are making money off the cheerleaders but just they treat us like indentured servants,” said Herington, who joined Rozic on a conference call with reporters Monday.
“We are all here to say it shouldn’t take lawsuits and legislation to get the NBA to follow well established labor law,” Rozic said. “If you care about the players, the teams and the game, you should probably care about the cheerleaders.”
Cheerleaders provide fan fun just as much as the team. Providing them with beneficial pay for all they do should be expected. Cheerleaders are some girls gateway to sports, such as me. Cheerleaders are just apart of the atmosphere and team, as the players and sometimes, they are the only ones genuinely cheering you on. If you want to see the details of what it takes to be a cheerleader, watch “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making The Team” guarantee your outlook will change.
H/T: NY Daily News