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Updated: Buffalo Bills Cheerleader Lawsuit Obtains Class Action Certification


Back in April 2014, five former Buffalo Bills cheerleaders brought a wage and hour suit against the team on the grounds that they were not paid minimum wage for their work.  (From Pom Poms to the Courtroom, Pt. 3: Buffalo Bills Edition).  

Recently, the judge in the case ruled that "all Buffalo Bills cheerleaders and ambassadors since April 2008" can join the suit.  This class certification could potentially have a major impact in so much that Bills cheerleaders from 2008 - 2014 will now be allowed to join the class action.  

The Bills have continued to argue that the cheerleaders are independent contractors rather than employees.  However, the judge held the cheerleaders were not independent contractors as based upon the cheerleader handbook from 2013 - 2014, everything from appearance to hygiene were closely watched and controlled by the team.  

Note, since the filing of the lawsuit, the Buffalo Bills cheerleaders have remained inactive.  Given that this case is likely to stretch on for longer than many expected, I would not be surprised if we might have seen the last of cheerleaders on the sideline in Buffalo for quite some time.



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