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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna879491

5 former Houston Texans cheerleaders sue team over low pay, harassment

"I had no idea that once I became a Houston Texan cheerleader all of my dreams would slowly be shattered," one cheerleader said.
by Kalhan Rosenblatt / Jun.02.2018 / 4:44 PM ET
180602-houston-cheerleaders-954a-rs_971bdbfb79824530a17a780809caf75d.focal-1000x500.JPG

Attorney Gloria Allred with former Houston Texans cheerleaders, from left, Ashley Rodriguez, Morgan Wiederhold, Kelly Neuner, Hannah Turnbow, and Ainsley Parish, while holding a shirt showing the amount she says the former cheerleaders where paid per hour, June 1, 2018, in Humble, Texas.Melissa Phillip / AP

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Five former cheerleaders for the Houston Texans are suing the team, claiming they weren't paid for many of the hours they worked and were also subjected to bullying and sexual harassment.

The five women, Hannah Turnbow, Ainsley Parish, Morgan Wiederhold, Ashley Rodriguez, and Kelly Neuner, spoke publicly about the suit for the first time on Friday during a press conference with attorney Gloria Allred.
 
If anything I'm surprised that this hasn't happened sooner. I've heard enough second hand and 'friend of friend' reports to have come to the conclusion long ago that Texans cheerleaders (I can't speak for other teams) are wildly mistreated and the 'suck it up, because 100 other girls will' is their motto. The underpaid is well known, most famous with our rocket scientist not getting minimum wage as a cheerleader. The ladies are paid with the "honor of being a 'insert team' cheerleader". I didn't know that they weren't being compensated for basic travel and job related expenses, but it doesn't surprise me. I hope this suit changes things.
 
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna879491

5 former Houston Texans cheerleaders sue team over low pay, harassment

"I had no idea that once I became a Houston Texan cheerleader all of my dreams would slowly be shattered," one cheerleader said.
by Kalhan Rosenblatt / Jun.02.2018 / 4:44 PM ET
180602-houston-cheerleaders-954a-rs_971bdbfb79824530a17a780809caf75d.focal-1000x500.JPG

Attorney Gloria Allred with former Houston Texans cheerleaders, from left, Ashley Rodriguez, Morgan Wiederhold, Kelly Neuner, Hannah Turnbow, and Ainsley Parish, while holding a shirt showing the amount she says the former cheerleaders where paid per hour, June 1, 2018, in Humble, Texas.Melissa Phillip / AP

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Five former cheerleaders for the Houston Texans are suing the team, claiming they weren't paid for many of the hours they worked and were also subjected to bullying and sexual harassment.

The five women, Hannah Turnbow, Ainsley Parish, Morgan Wiederhold, Ashley Rodriguez, and Kelly Neuner, spoke publicly about the suit for the first time on Friday during a press conference with attorney Gloria Allred.
Glad you posted this. So far as pay, I'm in agreement with the girls.

My thoughts on this is that they should be a contract, salaried position, similar to corporate culture. At my multinational company, you have the contingent positions, which are hourly workers leased from a staffing business such as Kelley and who work 40 hour weeks; and then you have the corporate employees, who are under a contract with a fixed monthly salary but who also work "as required", often far more than 40 hours.

This is the way these girls should be paid; work as required under a fixed, salaried contract. They are currently putting in long unpaid hours which they should be compensated for.

But some of the other complaints in the lawsuit are pure crap. Such things as damages for emotional stress. One incident involved a fan, during a game, and the cheerleader was told to "suck it up". One cheerleader complains the Texans "did not care about my rights as a professional, as a woman and as part of the team". And such claims against the team for "malicious and recklessly indifferent conduct".

In the article there is no mention of charges for sexual misconduct. These claims, other than that over the pay, are just examples of the girls just being "the weaker sex" and needing to be coddled. Can you just imagine one of the Texans filing a lawsuit claiming the coaches yelled at him.
 
In the article there is no mention of charges for sexual misconduct. These claims, other than that over the pay, are just examples of the girls just being "the weaker sex" and needing to be coddled. Can you just imagine one of the Texans filing a lawsuit claiming the coaches yelled at him.

"I was attacked by a fan at a game leaving abrasions on my shoulder. My attacker was not approached, nor was he removed from the game. I was told to just suck it up," Turnbow said.

If someone's aggressive enough to leave a mark, you want to either be protected by your employer or allowed to protect yourself.
 
"I was attacked by a fan at a game leaving abrasions on my shoulder. My attacker was not approached, nor was he removed from the game. I was told to just suck it up," Turnbow said.

If someone's aggressive enough to leave a mark, you want to either be protected by your employer or allowed to protect yourself.
If it's an isolated incident, I disagree. If it is a reoccurring problem, then I would agree. Life is not a bed of roses. Sometimes you just have to "suck it up".
 
If it's an isolated incident, I disagree. If it is a reoccurring problem, then I would agree. Life is not a bed of roses. Sometimes you just have to "suck it up".

We're at an impasse then, once is too many. I'm of a much softer nature than someone like Corrosion, but I'll fkuc somebody up if I need to and would expect the ladies to do the same and let the Texans figure it out afterwards - loudly if necessary (seems it's getting louder). Had there been recourse from security, that would be one thing - 'suck it up' ... NOPE.
 
I usually don’t get involved in these back and forth discussions, however if my gorgeous wife and or my child to be was a female and had to be subjected to this type of behavior, I would want their employer to be wholly responsible to ensure their safety and well-being, one off or not.

Would you tell a 15 year old girl to suck it up if she was grabbed by a man during a high school football game? Then why do many men treat young ladies 18-30 differently and tell them to “suck it up” or “just go with it”?

Cheerleaders have long been improperly treated and managed. Not surprising if you work the day to day around the league because team personnel, players, coaches, and especially cheerleaders are all deemed easily replaceable.

I don’t think the cheerleaders of the NFL need 6 figure salaries, however give the ladies certain simple pay guarantees and safety precautions and peace of mind.
 
If it's an isolated incident, I disagree. If it is a reoccurring problem, then I would agree. Life is not a bed of roses. Sometimes you just have to "suck it up".
Something other than "suck it up" should've been done in this instance. A stern talking to from security with the fan, at a minimum. I'm pretty in line with Casper on this one.
 
One girl said "I had no idea that once I became a Houston Texan cheerleader all of my dreams would slowly be shattered".
She must still obviously have those dreams, but she has more correctly realized that they would not be realized at Texans - and I would suggest as a cheerleader period.
Some of these girls would likely think that this (cheerleading gig) was a foot in the door to a modelling or television career - all part of "the dream".
Still, they are underpaid and their travelling/motel costs should be covered by the team. $15 an hour is about all you could expect though, considering the free media/television exposure they occasionally get as well.
They should also expect that they would have some sort of workplace health and safety measures in place - just like any other employee.
Just seems fair imo.
 
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Gotta admit I just dgaf about the practice of cheerleading as a whole. They should be compensated for their efforts whenever they're carrying on work duties. And they should absolutely have security on their side when interacting with fans etc. But they're paid peanuts because people largely don't care that they're there as a frivolous accessory. And one that has girls begging in line to be the next one up to be paid peanuts that will also be an afterthought to the game.

I know that may sound insensitive, and it's not personal toward any of these girls in particular at all, just the professional act of cheerleading as a whole. If it went away completely no one would bat an eye. If you don't like your wage, that you surely agreed upon getting hired, then walk and find a better wage.
 
Something other than "suck it up" should've been done in this instance. A stern talking to from security with the fan, at a minimum. I'm pretty in line with Casper on this one.
I don’t disagree that unruly fans should be approached by security, but, and unless this is a reoccurring issue, a single occurrence like this should not be justification for a lawsuit.

Unruly fans are part of the game and are far worse in some other stadiums than in ours. Having brought the incident to the attention of the appropriate person, it should have been dropped. If it became a problem over the course of multiple games, and went unaddressed by the organization, then a next step would have been justified.

In another thread I mentioned the liberalization of American culture. This wussification is an aspect of this.
 
Gotta admit I just dgaf about the practice of cheerleading as a whole. They should be compensated for their efforts whenever they're carrying on work duties. And they should absolutely have security on their side when interacting with fans etc. But they're paid peanuts because people largely don't care that they're there as a frivolous accessory. And one that has girls begging in line to be the next one up to be paid peanuts that will also be an afterthought to the game.

I know that may sound insensitive, and it's not personal toward any of these girls in particular at all, just the professional act of cheerleading as a whole. If it went away completely no one would bat an eye. If you don't like your wage, that you surely agreed upon getting hired, then walk and find a better wage.

I'm also of the opinion that there's no need for cheerleaders and it wouldn't hurt me one bit if the job was removed from sports entirely. I also think onions are pointless and unnecessary. These women spend an incredible amount of time doing what they do because it's important to them - obviously not for the money or job security. Just because you and I don't care, doesn't mean nobody cares - they care, fans care, the team cares enough to hire them, and these women should be treated with the appropriate civil and employee respect. If public value dictated salaries ... these ladies should make more than the president.
 
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I'm also of the opinion that there's no need for cheerleaders and it wouldn't hurt me one bit if the job was removed from sports entirely. I also think onions are pointless and unnecessary. These women spend a ridiculous amount of time doing what they do because it's important to them - obviously not for the money or job security. Just because you and I don't care, doesn't mean nobody cares - they care, fans care, the team cares enough to hire them, and these women should be treated with the appropriate civil and employee respect.

So we agree. Pretty cool.
 
I usually don’t get involved in these back and forth discussions, however if my gorgeous wife and or my child to be was a female and had to be subjected to this type of behavior, I would want their employer to be wholly responsible to ensure their safety and well-being, one off or not.

Would you tell a 15 year old girl to suck it up if she was grabbed by a man during a high school football game? Then why do many men treat young ladies 18-30 differently and tell them to “suck it up” or “just go with it”?

Cheerleaders have long been improperly treated and managed. Not surprising if you work the day to day around the league because team personnel, players, coaches, and especially cheerleaders are all deemed easily replaceable.

I don’t think the cheerleaders of the NFL need 6 figure salaries, however give the ladies certain simple pay guarantees and safety precautions and peace of mind.

I'm sure they get paid on a per game and appearance basis and know what they're getting paid. They just want to be paid more. I do agree that they should be protected. However a one time occurrence if the situation was properly handled by security shouldn't result in a lawsuit.
 
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I'm sure they get paid on a per game and appearance basis and know what they're getting paid. They just want to be paid more. I do agree that they should be protected. However a one time occurrence if the situation was properly handled by security shouldn't result in a lawsuit.

That’s the information that I am uncertain of. Was that particular situation handled properly. From the VERY LITTLE I’ve gathered, the security and team personnel did not correct the Texans patron. If it is a high end season ticket holder, that makes sense as we know, McNair won’t let the inmates or “cooks” (my words for message) tell his good paying customers anything other that what makes him money.

“Suck it up” sounds a lot like STFU for good reason, it means I’m not giving your concerns credence. One time or not, the cheerleader in question felt her concern was not taken seriously.

In today’s landscape, as other posters have noted, is a big red flag and can get light shined where others don’t want it shone.
 
My daughter does competition cheer. I never even notice pro football cheerleaders.
NFL teams should just drop them and bring in a real team like this one. ( not my daughters ). If you saw this in real life it really is amazing. They could bring in a different one every home game.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
It seems I butchered my previous post based on likes and approval.

I'm sure they get paid on a per game and appearance basis and know what they're getting paid. They just want to be paid more. I do agree that they should be protected. However a one time occurrence if the situation was properly handled by security shouldn't result in a lawsuit.

I'm scratching old memory, but I think you're right about per game. They get the game check, but it is imbalanced to the work put in during the week. Similarly, getting paid per appearance is one of the mentions in the suit - a little bit for their work ends up a negative once the expenses that aren't covered add up. The hours put in don't add up to minimum wage, and travel may be worse.

The one time situation WASN'T handled by security (and let's not be naive about 'one time'). Security looked the other way as did their higher ups, who said 'suck it up'.
 
My daughter does competition cheer. I never even notice pro football cheerleaders.
NFL teams should just drop them and bring in a real team like this one. ( not my daughters ). If you saw this in real life it really is amazing. They could bring in a different one every home game.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Now these girls actually work.
Do they get paid?
 
It seems I butchered my previous post based on likes and approval.



I'm scratching old memory, but I think you're right about per game. They get the game check, but it is imbalanced to the work put in during the week. Similarly, getting paid per appearance is one of the mentions in the suit - a little bit for their work ends up a negative once the expenses that aren't covered add up. The hours put in don't add up to minimum wage, and travel may be worse.

The one time situation WASN'T handled by security (and let's not be naive about 'one time'). Security looked the other way as did their higher ups, who said 'suck it up'.

Agreed about the pay vs work. But nobody made them become cheerleaders and nothing keeps them from quitting if they think they aren't being paid enough.

Your probably right about mgmt and security but we dont know this for sure. This will come out in the lawsuit. This should tell us alot about how Uncle Bob runs his org. Nor should it be surprising when Uncle Bob loses/settles this lawsuit.

Then the cheerleaders will go the way the the tray grass field went when Uncle Bob settled that lawsuit.
 
Agreed about the pay vs work. But nobody made them become cheerleaders and nothing keeps them from quitting if they think they aren't being paid enough.

Ah, the cheerleader version of employing people they shouldn't. A billion dollar company not willing to pay minimum wage, but I bet they find people willing to accept less ... so which side are you on again?
 
Ah, the cheerleader version of employing people they shouldn't. A billion dollar company not willing to pay minimum wage, but I bet they find people willing to accept less ... so which side are you on again?

The no cheerleader side.
 
...“Suck it up” sounds a lot like STFU for good reason, it means I’m not giving your concerns credence...
Not at all. Way back in the old days, playing high school football, I was told on multiple occasions to "suck it up". Back in the 50's and 60's, boys, probably not so much girls, were told and taught to toughen up and endure whatever the challenge was. This is what "suck it up" means. Only in today's wussified culture is this personality trait of toughness under attack.
 
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... Back in the 50's and 60's, boys, probably not so much girls, were told and taught to toughen up and endure whatever the challenge was. This is what "suck it up" means. Only in today's wussified culture is this personality trait of toughness under attack.

This is about female cheerleaders and how they were mismanaged. That is my point. A 21-25 year old female cheerleader was told suck it up. Not a 50-75 year old man.

This is not a personal attack 19, just clarifying why I disagree.
 
Ah, the cheerleader version of employing people they shouldn't. A billion dollar company not willing to pay minimum wage, but I bet they find people willing to accept less ... so which side are you on again?

I'm not following the 'not willing to pay minimum wage' part?
 
This is about female cheerleaders and how they were mismanaged. That is my point. A 21-25 year old female cheerleader was told suck it up. Not a 50-75 year old man.

This is not a personal attack 19, just clarifying why I disagree.
I'm attacked daily on this forum. No big deal. Water off my back.

Modern feminism maintains that women are just as capable as men and should be treated no differently. So, if it's OK to tell men to "suck it up", why not women?

Are women actually a weaker sex and must be protected from a course, male culture?

Actually, feminists are trying their best to change the basic male personality and reform the male culture. Simultaneously, you also find women complaining of the lack of "real men", any longer, in our society.

Who told this young woman to "suck it up"? Does it make a difference?

Cheer leading can be a form of athleticism, although I'm not sure if the Texans cheerleaders rise to this level. But being an athlete, I think it perfectly acceptable for one, whether male or female, to be expected to raise the bar over that of a non-athlete.
 
Being told to suck it up when doing pushups or a drill is not the same as being told to suck it up when harassed or bullied. That's just stupid to even argue.
 
I'm attacked daily on this forum. No big deal. Water off my back.

Modern feminism maintains that women are just as capable as men and should be treated no differently. So, if it's OK to tell men to "suck it up", why not women?

Are women actually a weaker sex and must be protected from a course, male culture?

Actually, feminists are trying their best to change the basic male personality and reform the male culture. Simultaneously, you also find women complaining of the lack of "real men", any longer, in our society.

Who told this young woman to "suck it up"? Does it make a difference?

Cheer leading can be a form of athleticism, although I'm not sure if the Texans cheerleaders rise to this level. But being an athlete, I think it perfectly acceptable for one, whether male or female, to be expected to raise the bar over that of a non-athlete.

Number19 her cheerleaders coach told her to suck it up.
 
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The time of saying "suck it up " is coming to an end.

If someone has a problem with something or is uncomfortable with something, they are going to speak up.
 
I just want to go to a game and watch football. When will we get that back? If that means no anthem and no cheerleaders, so be it. None of us are paying for those options.

Yeah, I couldn't care less about the anthem or the cheerleaders or any of the other sideshow crap that comes with NFL games. I just want to see them play football, the rest (including a lot of the announcers) are BS.
 
I just want to go to a game and watch football. When will we get that back? If that means no anthem and no cheerleaders, so be it. None of us are paying for those options.

What's this football you speak of? Don't you know today's game is about anthem protests, cheerleader mistreatment, uniform combos, and complaining about the roof always being closed? Get with the times already.
 
McClain: Healthy tight ends vital to Texans' plan
By John McClain, Houston Chronicle

June 4, 2018
Rookie tight end Jordan Akins offers promise to a position that was ravaged by injuries during the 2017 season.

One reason the Texans drafted Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas was an attempt to get more production from their tight ends.

Since coach Bill O'Brien arrived in 2014, injuries have derailed the position too many times. Only once – in 2016 -- have the tight ends figured prominently into the passing game.
The key is staying healthy. The Texans began their last week of OTAs on Monday, and their mandatory minicamp is June 12-14.

The tight ends have looked good in the offseason program, but looking good in practice hasn't been a problem. Avoiding debilitating injuries at a position crucial to the passing game has been an issue.

Last season, C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin missed more than half the games.

Fiedorowicz, who retired because of concussions, had 14 catches for 127 yards and no touchdowns. Griffin added 13 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown.

Stephen Anderson, who's an undersized tight end, led the position with 25 catches for 342 yards and one touchdown.

What the Texans need this season is a collective performance like 2016 when Fiedorowicz (54 for 559 yards, four touchdowns) and Griffin (50, for 442 and two) combined for 104 receptions, 1,001 yards and six touchdowns.
THE REST OF THE STORY
 
What's this football you speak of? Don't you know today's game is about anthem protests, cheerleader mistreatment, uniform combos, and complaining about the roof always being closed? Get with the times already.

The issue for us is that as the relative handful of fans who like the sport of football enough to be posting on a message board in June, we don't represent much and certainly not most of the ticket buying public. Ya that public, that comes late, leaves early, sells half their games, gives away another two, only knows the star players, wants to be seen more than to see, cares greatly about all the "game day experience."
 
The issue for us is that as the relative handful of fans who like the sport of football enough to be posting on a message board in June, we don't represent much and certainly not most of the ticket buying public. Ya that public, that comes late, leaves early, sells half their games, gives away another two, only knows the star players, wants to be seen more than to see, cares greatly about all the "game day experience."

Yep, and this is one of the reasons why football's popularity has waned. Catering to these people, instead of cultivating young new fans who love the game like most on this MB do.

Most of this has occurred under God'ell's watch. He's literally destroying the game. You didn't see this kind of crap under Tags watch and the NFL became the most popular sport in this country.
 
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Although I don't disagree with sentiments posted, how is "selling" to customers with the bucks not smart? I see this with commercials daily.
 
Yep, and this is one of the reasons why football's popularity has waned. Catering to these people, instead of cultivating young new fans who love the game like most on this MB do.

Most of this has occurred under God'ell's watch. He's lterally destroying the game. You didn't see this kind of crap under Tags watch and the NFL became the most popular sport in this country.
The old model that attracted us old folk to the game won't work with the younguns. Most don't sit down and absorb the game like we did. They catch highlights on their phones and tablets. They check in to see how their fantasy guys are doing. They're as interested in tweets from players as they are the ins and outs of the game.
Arlington is right, when they have tickets they may go and they may not. And when they do go to the game its as much to hang out with friends as it is to watch the actual game.

It's not bad, it's just different.
 
The old model that attracted us old folk to the game won't work with the younguns. Most don't sit down and absorb the game like we did. They catch highlights on their phones and tablets. They check in to see how their fantasy guys are doing. They're as interested in tweets from players as they are the ins and outs of the game.
Arlington is right, when they have tickets they may go and they may not. And when they do go to the game its as much to hang out with friends as it is to watch the actual game.

It's not bad, it's just different.

This is because they changed how the game is played and catered the game for TV and didn't cultivate fans when they were young. I was with Cuban when he said the NFL was going down. Why? because of heavy handed/shortsighted leadership. I mean you tell me is suspending Brady/Elliott etc... with a bunch of unproven accusations good for the game? Tags even said as much in the Bountygate case and got blacklisted because he told the truth. The challenges to the game you are talking about are true and the stuff I'm talking about combined with the stuff you're talking about are killing the game. Also the kneelers and the Eagles not respecting the flag/POTUS and doing things that blue collar workers cant do on their jobs are turning fans off. Nobody's daying they cant do these things but ask yourself if the players actions are good for the game?

Mara/Rooney run the NFL and they aren't stewards of the game like their fathers were, they're all about the cash and the NFL is beginning to suffer because of it. I mean are games in London really what the avg NFL fan is clamoring for?
 
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Adonis Alexander DB VT is entering the supplemental draft and CB Sam Beal WMU is applying for the supplemental draft. Both have draftable grades according to scouts while some believe Beal could be a 2nd round pick.

Should the Texans take a chance on either of them? (There's also a Safety that apparently ran a 4.24, 40 yard dash, applying for the SD)
 
Adonis Alexander DB VT is entering the supplemental draft and CB Sam Beal WMU is applying for the supplemental draft. Both have draftable grades according to scouts while some believe Beal could be a 2nd round pick.

Should the Texans take a chance on either of them? (There's also a Safety that apparently ran a 4.24, 40 yard dash, applying for the SD)
That's a tricky one.
Would make for some more depth, but do we need it in our secondary now?
I would hate to lose a high draft pick two year running but if one has real future starter potential, then it would be worth it.
 
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