TMQB: Cheerleaders are underpaid

[Yankee_In_TX]

Scroll down or search 'cheerleader exploitation'
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...3&sportCat=nfl

Cheerleader squads practice twice a week, and in most cases, cheerleaders are not paid for practicing. Some are charged to audition. They make unpaid charity appearances. In order to become cheerleaders, they sign away "subsidiary rights" to their images -- use in advertising, on swimsuit calendars and so on. Being a NFL cheerleader is glamorous and can entail exciting travel. Many women who take up this very time-consuming hobby would rather be cheerleaders receiving only token pay than not be cheerleaders. But that should not be the choice. "Do it cheap or we'll find someone else who will" is manipulation. Cheerleaders are professional performers and deserve decent pay.

For an $8 billion enterprise to pay cheerleaders $100 a game, then use their images in national advertising without further pay, ought to embarrass the NFL. True, players' contracts include a clause that signs away some of their rights to their images under some circumstances. But players receive an average of $1.9 million per year. What they're signing is a good deal. What the cheerleaders are signing is exploitation.

[Texan_Bill]

That's how cheap Pud Adams was when he disbanded the Derrick Dolls.






I knew a girl that was a cheerleader for the Gamblers. I beleive she made $20.00 a game back in the day.

[Double Barrel]

The NFL could give a rat's ass about retired players and their health problems resulting from playing pro football, so it is no surprise that they would exploit these women to help push their product.

[Yankee_In_TX]

The article has a valid point. Especially if a girl (especially a DCC) becomes idenitifable - such as a Fat Head or on a national Directv commercial, that she gets $0.00.

[El Tejano]

So the question also needs to be, what do they get? I agree they are underpaid, but do they know this going into it? There has to be something that makes them say they still want to be an NFL Cheerleader. Heck, we have a few on there now that used to be cheerleaders for other teams before so there should be something good about it that would make you want to move from state to state.

Also, I do recall against the Raiders where the broadcasters said that two cheerleaders brought them some really nice Texans shirts in hopes of getting more camera time and they got it. I thought that was pretty creative. Never seen that happen before.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by Yankee_In_TX

The article has a valid point. Especially if a girl (especially a DCC) becomes idenitifable - such as a Fat Head or on a national Directv commercial, that she gets $0.00.

That absolutely sucks!!

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

The NFL could give a rat's ass about retired players and their health problems resulting from playing pro football, so it is no surprise that they would exploit these women to help push their product.

The NFL should be ashamed of themselves the way they treat retired players.

BTW, check this site out if you have a minute: Gridiron Greats

[Yankee_In_TX]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

they still want to be an NFL Cheerleader.

You answered your own question.

As for the girls that move from state to state (or from Houston to Dallas - booooooooo!), there are two types:

1. Their life moves (job, spouse, etc.) and they are so good they easy make the new state's team.

2. Being an NFL cheerleader is their identity, so if they cut from team X, they'll go try out for teams A, B and C and live where ever they land the gig.

IMHO.

[texanmojo]

Originally Posted by Yankee_In_TX

You answered your own question.

As for the girls that move from state to state (or from Houston to Dallas - booooooooo!), there are two types:

1. Their life moves (job, spouse, etc.) and they are so good they easy make the new state's team.

2. Being an NFL cheerleader is their identity, so if they cut from team X, they'll go try out for teams A, B and C and live where ever they land the gig.

IMHO.

So how does your wife feel about this?

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by Yankee_In_TX

You answered your own question.

As for the girls that move from state to state (or from Houston to Dallas - booooooooo!), there are two types:

1. Their life moves (job, spouse, etc.) and they are so good they easy make the new state's team.

2. Being an NFL cheerleader is their identity, so if they cut from team X, they'll go try out for teams A, B and C and live where ever they land the gig.

IMHO.

I know one person that better not try out for another team.

[Yankee_In_TX]

Originally Posted by texanmojo.com

So how does your wife feel about this?

About the article in general?

I'll ask her.... IMHO she was just SO happy to be a Texan she would have done it for free.

[Yankee_In_TX]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

I know one person that better not try out for another team.

It makes me die inside that a current DCC was a very talented Texan (there ate two, but I didn't know the other as well) and REALLY helped out Lindsay while they were on the squad together.

Her life took her to Dallas.

But come on, she works for HIM!



Ugghhhhh!

[disaacks3]

Originally Posted by Yankee_In_TX

About the article in general?

I'll ask her.... IMHO she was just SO happy to be a Texan she would have done it for free.

Of COURSE she was happy!! She had the quality fans of the BULL PEN to appreciate her all the more, since she was "one of us"!


...except for that funny guy in the viking hat

[gtexan02]

It seems like this is one of those things where the perks are the pay. You can national exposure and probably can hit up endorsements if you are good enough (Randi on Maxim for example).

If the women got together, they could demand fair pay. But since they don't seem to care, or since there are many owmen who would do it for free, its unlikely they'll receive anything more than a nominal payment.

I worked this summer as a teaching assistant in a very prestigous course. I received approximately $1 per hour for all my work (8am - midnight every day). The money wasn't what I was after, though, so it was all fair. I had a grea time and I'd do it again for free

[TimeKiller]

Front row seats cost how much?

[TheDrifter]

From a simple economics stand point...

I think they are paid fairly. Isnt it like, hundreds of girls trying out to be Dallas cheerleaders? Clearly if they felt the compensation wasnt worth their time/effort they wouldnt be there.

Once teams start having trouble finding pretty young women, then they should consider raising the incentives.

[badboy]

Is there a dream of becoming the next Paula Abdul? There was a recent segment on TV about strippers thinking they could be the next Ana Nicole Smith. This is not like people with little education or skills being migrant farm workers. Many of these ladies have degrees and other jobs. Most cheerleaders have done that and danced since they were five and have now moved on to the "big show". Reminds me of the women that are full time beauty contestants. At least they have a chance at cash and prizes and sometimes movie offers. I see little exploitation here.

[gtexan02]

Originally Posted by badboy

Is there a dream of becoming the next Paula Abdul? There was a recent segment on TV about strippers thinking they could be the next Ana Nicole Smith. This is not like people with little education or skills being migrant farm workers. Many of these ladies have degrees and other jobs. Most cheerleaders have done that and danced since they were five and have now moved on to the "big show". Reminds me of the women that are full time beauty contestants. At least they have a chance at cash and prizes and sometimes movie offers. I see little exploitation here.

Good way to meet megamillionaire NFL husbands too. Remember the Replacements?

[El Tejano]

I think the NFL looks at it as them only working for a short time vs. the entire off season.

If the girls are looking to be in this for showbusiness, this will work for them as far as resume goes. It looks pretty good when you can put on your resume that you were an NFL cheerleader when you are trying out for a play or even a movie or something.

The girls need to figure out how to market themselves.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

I think the NFL looks at it as them only working for a short time vs. the entire off season.

If the girls are looking to be in this for showbusiness, this will work for them as far as resume goes. It looks pretty good when you can put on your resume that you were an NFL cheerleader when you are trying out for a play or even a movie or something.

The girls need to figure out how to market themselves.

I don't think they are allowed to market themselves. They represent the team.