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From Pom Poms to the Courtroom: Milwaukee Bucks Edition


Over the past year or so, N.F.L. cheerleaders have brought lawsuits against their teams and the league on the grounds that they have not been paid minimum wage for their work.  (Oakland Raiders (1); Oakland Raiders (2); Cincinnati Bengals; Buffalo Bills; New York Jets; Tampa Bay Bucs).  Now, that focus has shifted to the N.B.A. as a former Milwaukee Bucks cheerleader has brought suit against the team for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA").  

In the suit, Lauren Herington, alleged that Bucks cheerleaders earned $65 per game, $30 per practice, and $50 for each special appearance.  Herington claims this did not meet Wisconsin's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, based upon the time the cheerleaders worked.  According to Herington, the Bucks required the cheerleaders to arrive two and a half hours before games, rehearse 5 to 10 hours each week, and participate in workout sessions for 15 to 20 hours per week.  As Herington alleged in her petition, she took home about $3.50 to $4.50 per hour and was not compensated by the Bucks for any overtime, in violation of the FLSA.

Note that this claim is a class action on behalf of other Bucks cheerleaders and seeks back wages to bring their hourly rate up to a minimum wage.  The suit also seeks unpaid wages for overtime worked.  

Let's see how the Bucks respond.  Something tells me this might not be the only N.B.A. cheerleader suit we see.


For a copy of the complaint:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/283024168/Herington-v-Milwaukee-Bucks-Complaint

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