Former Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader Alexa Brenneman in class action
BEING a cheerleader is not all fun — especially when you’re put on “weight probation” and subject to glamour evaluations, according to a lawsuit taken out against an NFL team.
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WHO would want to be a cheerleader if working conditions are as bad as alleged in Ohio.
Alexa Brenneman, a cheerleader with the NFL giants, the Cincinnati Bengals, has taken out a lawsuit for all Ben-Gals since 2011, the Cincinnatti Enquirer reported.
She alleges that the Cincinnati BenGals broke federal wage laws by paying them less than the minimum $7.85 an hour.
Brenneman, 24, claims she was paid $2.85 an hour for her first season last year. She claimed the Ben-Gals put in more than 300 hours a season through mandatory practices, charity events and required volunteer work yet are only paid a flat rate of $90 a game.
She also listed the allegedly humiliating requirements the club sets out for the cheerleaders in a six-page documents handed to all 24 girls.
PICTURES: CHEERLEADERS AUSTRALIA
They include: “No slouching breasts. Support as needed”.
Another requirement is that “no panties are to be worn under practice clothes or uniform, not even thong panties”.
The Ben-Gals must have “glamour evaluations”.
They are also put on “weight probation” if their weight fluctuates by more than three pounds (1.36kg).
“If you are over your 3lb leniency weight, you will be required to stay 30 minutes after practice for extra conditioning,” the rule book states.
“If you are benched for weight violations for more than two games and/or team events, you will be put on weight probation for three weeks ... If no improvements are show, you can/will be dismissed from the team.”
They also can’t associate with the Bengal players.
“Less than 100% participation (example: mocking leaps, turns, dances etc.) or sitting on the sidelines with an injury or illness does not mean participation,” is another stipulation.
The Cincinnati Bengals responded to the lawsuit.
“The Ben-Gals cheerleading program has long been a program run by former cheerleaders and has enjoyed broad support in the community and by members of the squad. The lawsuit appears to be a copycat lawsuit that mimics the one filed last month in California against a different NFL club. The Bengals will address the litigation in due course,” spokesman Jack Brennan said.
The lawsuit filed last month was by current and former cheerleaders of the Oakland Raiders, who allegede that the club does not pay for all hours worked and forces cheerleaders to pay many of their own business expenses. The Raiderettes are paid $1250 a season.
Brenneman seeks a judge’s order to stop the Bengals from violating the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Ohio Minimum Fair Wage Standards Act, plus unpaid wages for cheerleaders, attorney fees and court costs.
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