A couple of weeks ago I was reading an article in a local paper (I’m in San Jose, CA) about tryouts for the San Jose Saberkittens, the dance/cheerleader squad for the local arena football team, the Sabercats.
The article mentioned that the Kittens don’t get paid very much–about $30-40 per game, but the thing that struck me was that the sentence went on to say, “–about the same as what NFL cheerleaders make.”
Is this a typo? NFL cheerleaders only make $30-40 per game? If so, that’s utterly absurd. Sure, they shouldn’t make as much as the players, but I’d think that it would be hard to find even attention junkie women who’d be willing to do all that traveling and performing for such a paltry sum.
So, was it a typo, was the author of the article smoking crack, or is it true?
No cites or anything, but I do remember reading the Oakland Raiderettes make only$25/game. This was a couple years ago, so sounds about right. I think it has something to do with supply/demand, as well as, WAG, most of these girls are hoping for careers as models or dancers and just adding to the resume. Also, from what I understand, they get paid per appearance as well (like at the local bar or something).
Yes, at least this last part is apparently correct (don’t know about the rest, obviously)–the same article I read also stated that the Saberkittens made $90 for each corporate appearance they attended.
If it’s just a side job (even for the NFL cheerleaders) then I guess it makes sense. I assume they don’t have to pay for their uniforms and incidentals out of their salary, correct?
I guess I was thinking more of a group like the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, who seemed to be fairly ubiquitous a few years back and almost seemed at times to be more famous than the team they were supporting.
High points from this page on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders website:[ul][] Cheerleaders participate in home games, home playoffs, American Bowls, and the Super Bowl.[]If you are selected, you must relocate to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.[] Basic Uniform is provided (consisting of boots, shorts, blouse, vest, pom-pons, warm-ups, rainwear, traveling outfits, jackets and show group costumes.)[] Cheerleaders are paid $50.00 per home game.[]There is no pay schedule for rehearsals[]Opportunities for paid appearances and shows are available![/ul]
They do, yes. We had three Chiefs cheerleaders working as teachers at my previous job when I first started. By the time I had left, we had two current cheerleaders in the district and two ex-cheerleaders. One was a math teacher; the remaining three taught English.
Also the Chiefs Cheerleaders do lots of fundraising and charitable things like going to Children’s Mercy Hospital, schools, etc. I would think these types of things would look good on a resume or a Miss America/Miss USA application.
So I think more than anything the NFL Cheerleader gig seems to be less for the money and more for the (ahem) exposure.
Well, at $50 an appearance, the clubs certainly can’t complain if they attract the sort of women who have lesbian sex in public restrooms. You get what you pay for.
The main problem is that cheerleaders are a sideshow. There’s no great demand for them. They’re not important to the team’s success. Hence, there’s never been any great movement for more equitable pay, and if a prospect isn’t willing to work for chump change, the team’s going to find someone that is.
Heck, officials are absolutely vital, and none of them are pulling in a living wage on NFL work alone.
It’s just the nature of the beast. They know what they’re getting into.
Footnote…I have the utmost pity for every non-insane of the Panthers cheerleading squad, and countless future members, who are probably never going to hear the end of it. Sheesh, talk about not getting paid enough for this…
