Former NFL cheerleader calls for changes in how the profession is treated
League must improve wages and working conditions, says journalist
The NFL urgently needs to address how it treats its cheerleaders, according to a former member of their ranks.
"It's ridiculous and it's hypocritical," said Lisa Guerrero, who was an NFL cheerleader in the '80s, and is now chief investigative correspondent at Inside Edition.
She said that over the years she has seen the NFL justify not paying cheerleaders salaries or minimum wage because they are independent contractors, while also controlling them to the point of telling them "who to date and what to post on social media."
"On one hand they're controlling these young women, and then on the other hand they're distancing themselves from them," Guerrero told The Current's guest host Piya Chattopadhyay.
In a New York Times article this week, cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins alleged that on a trip to Costa Rica they had their passports taken, were expected to be in topless photo shoots, and were taken to meetings with groups of men at local clubs. The men involved were allegedly Redskins sponsors and suite holders.
The CBC has not been able to verify these allegations by the women. The Redskins told The Current in a statement that "based on the dialogue we've had with a number of current and former cheerleaders over the past 48 hours, we've heard very different first-hand accounts that directly contradict many of the details [of the article]."
The statement also said that "if it is revealed that any of our employees acted inappropriately, those employees will face significant repercussions."
The NFL released a statement saying: "Cheerleaders have the right to work in a positive and respectful environment that is free from any and all forms of harassment and discrimination."
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But Guerrero argues that "talk is cheap and so are statements."
"What matters is action and what matters is the teams sit down with these women and say 'we're going to start protecting you,'" she said.
"'We're going to make sure that you are not sent out in the community, at events, at bars, without security. We're going to make sure you're paid for your time. We're not going to exploit you with bikini calendars.'"
Listen to the full audio near the top of this page, which includes a conversation with Morgan Campbell, sports columnist with the Toronto Star, about what the NFL can do to address the issue.
This segment was produced by The Current's Ines Colabrese, Julie Crysler and Michael O'Halloran.