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TMQB: Cheerleaders are underpaid

Yankee_In_TX

Yankee_In_TX

Dance Lindsay!
Scroll down or search 'cheerleader exploitation'
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/091013&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.
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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.
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That's how cheap Pud Adams was when he disbanded the Derrick Dolls. :gun:

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

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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 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.
 
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.
 
Double Barrel said:
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.
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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
 
El Tejano said:
they still want to be an NFL Cheerleader.
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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.
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
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.
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So how does your wife feel about this?
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
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.
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I know one person that better not try out for another team. :foottap:
 
Texan_Bill said:
I know one person that better not try out for another team. :foottap:
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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!

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Ugghhhhh!
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
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.
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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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
badboy said:
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.
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Good way to meet megamillionaire NFL husbands too. Remember the Replacements?
 
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.
 
El Tejano said:
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.
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I don't think they are allowed to market themselves. They represent the team.
 
Former Texans cheerleader Carrie Milbank

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From covering Super Bowls to Red Carpets or gabbing with Hollywood Celebs to A-List Athletes, Carrie's star is rising fast in the world of online Sports & Entertainment media. Carrie currently Hosts 3 of the Web's best and brightest shows:

NHL.com's "The Hockey Show" - 2009 Webby Official Honoree (THS is on a brief hiatus for the playoffs but we'll be back soon!)
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Carrie Milbank
 
El Tejano said:
I think the NFL looks at it as them only working for a short time vs. the entire off season.
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The girls still have to do appearances and the such right up until try outs for the next year. They don't have an off-season.

The girls need to figure out how to market themselves.
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Not allowed to. Most teams will fire you for doing anything public without their prior permission.

As for the comment about Randi, she has received $0.00 for being in Maxim.

Generally speaking, other than boosting a modeling career, NFL cheerleading is the 'big time' and is not a stepping stone to any where else. Girls like Carrie are a rarity.
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
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.
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Mixed feelings on this whole thing. I understand they are essentially un-paid and yet at the same time they chose to do so. While your wife is a big time Texan fan from watching various shows over the years it is clear many of the girls could give a rat's behind about the team. I once hired a girl who had previously been a Dallas Cowgirl, Derrick Doll and was at the time a Rockets Power Dancer - she just liked the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd. Heck the teams have to force them to learn basic facts about football in general and their team specifically. I think it is more of a prestige and enjoyment is its own compensation deal.
 
infantrycak said:
Mixed feelings on this whole thing. I understand they are essentially un-paid and yet at the same time they chose to do so. While your wife is a big time Texan fan from watching various shows over the years it is clear many of the girls could give a rat's behind about the team. I once hired a girl who had previously been a Dallas Cowgirl, Derrick Doll and was at the time a Rockets Power Dancer - she just liked the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd. Heck the teams have to force them to learn basic facts about football in general and their team specifically. I think it is more of a prestige and enjoyment is its own compensation deal.
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:thinking:

Thankfully for Ryan and the rest of us, Lindsay grew up watching football. Nebraska is a good football state.
 
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