California Assembly Bill Would Treat Cheerleaders Like Full-Fledged Employees
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Professional cheerleaders may be treated like the athletes on the field in the eyes of the law under proposed legislation that would treat the women like full-fledged employees.
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez was once a collegiate-level cheerleader, and now as a lawmaker she's pushing for the fair treatment of cheerleaders who she says work just as hard as the professional sports teams they are cheering for.
They tumble, do flips, and even throw one another in the air.
"This sport is tough," said Jill Norgaard.
They are part of University Cheer Force, a local competitive cheerleading group. And these young girls and boys have high aspirations to do it professionally one day.
On Thursday, Gonzalez introduced the bill to treat cheerleaders of professional sports teams as employees under California law. It's a step the co-owner of University Cheer Force says is in the right direction.
"Their time is worth a lot and it's not just on the field," Norgaard said. "It's their practices; it's their special events they attend, too, all the community services, the charitable events. They are more than just minimum-wage athletes in my opinion."
Many NFL teams, including the Oakland Raiders have faced lawsuits filed by cheerleaders for not paying up. There have been reports that the women work overtime without getting paid, and are instead forced to spend their own money sometimes.
But Assembly Bill 202 would change that. Cheerleaders would be given the same rights and benefits as other employees.
"If the guy selling you the beer deserves a minimum wage, so does the woman entertaining you on the field," Gonzalez said. "All work is dignified and cheerleaders deserve the respect of basic workplace protections."
Protections that those passionate about cheerleading hope will soon be implemented.
"Part of a professional football team is the cheerleaders, and it is a big part of their organization, and I feel like they deserve credit," said Nicole Vallejo.
