Perhaps the first of its kind in the United States, a bill was sent to the Governor of California earlier this week that would require cheerleaders working for professional sports teams be paid at least minimum wage along with overtime and sick leave. As it stands, the benefits received by a number of cheerleaders actually amount to less than minimum wage.
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, the author of the legislation, said the following about the proposed change:
Everyone who works hard to provide a great game-day experience deserves the same basic level of dignity and respect on the job, starting with simply being paid for their work.
This law comes after a number of lawsuits were filed against NFL teams, claiming that cheerleaders were not paid for the time they spend practicing or making public appearances. Raiders cheerleaders were paid $125.00 per home game, which amounted to approximately $1,250 per season. The Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have all been sued in similar lawsuits.
A bill substantially similar to California’s was introduced in New York earlier this year as well.