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A fourth team in the National Football League, the New York Jets, has been sued and accused of paying cheerleaders less than the minimum wage, according to Bloomberg.
The team calls its cheerleaders the “Flight Crew.” A former member of the staff, a woman from Connecticut, claims that the team “historically and currently” underpays its cheerleaders. The woman was identified only as Krystal C in court documents, which were filed in the New Jersey Superior Court in Hackensack.
“The cheerleaders are required to work ‘off the clock’ at home, attend rehearsals three days a week from May through December without pay, attend ‘charity events’ without pay, and are required to spend their own money on travel, uniform maintenance and cosmetic and hairstyling requirements set by the Jets,” the woman said.
The Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders have had similar lawsuits filed against them in the past. A spokesman for the Jets, Bruce Speight, did not comment on the case. A spokesman for the NFL, Brian McCarthy, said that the league does not comment on litigation involving teams.
Cheerleaders for the Jets receive $150 per game and $100 for events, which equates to $3.77 per hour when unpaid work and rehearsals are considered. Lawyers for the cheerleader said that when you consider hair, makeup and transportation expenses, the hourly wage drops to $1.50 per hour. Krystal C. was a member of the staff from June of 2012 through December of 2013. She wants class-action status for the case.
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