Sports

Oakland Raiderette Sues Team, Says Cheerleaders Are Paid Less Than $5 An Hour

The cheerleader is identified only as "Lacy T."

By Bay City News

A member of the Oakland Raiderettes cheerleading squad sued the football team in Alameda County Superior Court Wednesday, alleging that the club is in "flagrant violation" of an array of California wage and employment laws. 

The Raiderette, identified in the lawsuit as Lacy T., claims the Oakland Raiders club doesn't pay the cheerleaders for all the time they spend working, withholds pay until the end of the season, and forces them to pay some of their own business expenses. 

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The lawsuit seeks to be certified as a class action on behalf of all present and former Raiderettes who cheered for the team since 2010.

Lacy T.'s lawyer, Sharon Vinick, said the cheerleaders are paid only $1,250 per season, which amounts to less than $5 per hour for the time they spend rehearsing, performing and making required appearances at charity events. 

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Lacy T. said in a statement, "I love the Raiders and I love being a Raiderette, but someone has to stand up for all of the women of the NFL who work so hard for the fans and the teams." 

Raiders spokesman Mike Taylor declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction requiring the team to stop the allegedly illegal practices, an award of back pay for the cheerleaders and other financial penalties.

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