Cincinnati, OH: A cheerleader with the NFL team the Cincinnati Bengals has filed an employment class action lawsuit alleging the club is in violation of federal wage laws.
Twenty-four year old Alexa Brenneman, who filed the lawsuit, alleges that the Cincinnati BenGals are paid less than the minimum hourly wage of $7.85. She also claims she was paid $2.85 an hour for her first season last year. According to the lawsuit, the Ben-Gals put in more than 300 hours a season through mandatory practices, charity events and required volunteer work yet are paid a flat rate of $90 a game.
Additionally, Brenneman cites a list of requirements set out by the club for the cheerleaders which include "No slouching breasts. Support as needed"; "no panties are to be worn under practice clothes or uniform, not even thong panties"; "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," "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."
The lawsuit also states that the cheeleaders are subject to "glamour evaluations", that they are not allowed to associate with the Bengal players, and that "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 also in violation of the rule book.
Brenneman seeks a judge' order to stop the Bengals from violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Ohio Minimum Fair Wage Standards Act, plus unpaid wages for cheerleaders, attorney fees and court costs.
