This marks the NFL’s first action toward addressing concerns over the way teams treat their cheerleadersGETTY IMAGES
The NFL "did not accept a proposal from two former cheerleaders to drop their gender-discrimination complaints for $1 each by Friday’s deadline, but the league did agree to hear recommendations to improve conditions," according to John Branch of the N.Y. TIMES. Sara Blackwell, representing former Saints cheerleader Bailey Davis and former Dolphins cheerleader Kristan Ware, said that she would "suspend the two complaints for now, in hopes that the NFL was genuine in its offer to listen to suggestions for improving workplace conditions for all cheerleaders." With the deadline approaching, Blackwell received a letter from Proskauer Rose lawyer Steven Hurd, whose firm "often represents the NFL." Blackwell said that short of "agreeing to the settlement proposal, the response indicated that the league was open to conversations and suggestions for improving working conditions for cheerleaders" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/5). In DC, Adam Kilgore noted this marks the NFL’s "first action toward addressing growing concerns over the way teams treat their cheerleaders" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/5).
CHANGE ON THE HORIZON? The AP's Paul Newberry wrote the #MeToo era is the "perfect time to retire these objectified, chauvinistic relics" (AP, 5/4). THE ATHLETIC's Lisa Olson wrote, "It’s truly extraordinary how certain elements in the NFL continue to cling to outdated and offensive norms" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/6). In Colorado Springs, David Ramsey wrote the Redskins scandal involving their cheerleaders is a "siren call" for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to act. He should "use his power to stop the pollution" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 5/4). THE MMQB's Kalyn Kahler, a former cheerleader at Northwestern, wrote, "It’s time to rebrand these women as athletes, not sex symbols, so they can be treated with the respect they deserve. No more swimsuit calendars, online voting for your favorite cheerleader, or marketing the teams with creepy slogans like, ‘Football's Fabulous Females.’ NFL cheerleaders should be full-time employees or at the very least, better-paid part-time employees" (SI.com, 5/6).
