Former NFL cheerleaders sue team, allege unfair compensation, harassment

Five former cheerleaders for the Houston Texans filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday alleging that the NFL team created a hostile work environment and did not compensate them appropriately.

The lawsuit claims that cheerleaders were grossly underpaid for their work, and were subject to “intense scrutiny, harassment,” assault from spectators, “cyberbullying” by the coach and sex discrimination.

“While their beauty and cheers provided ample entertainment for fans, the Houston Texans cheerleaders were never treated like the integral part of the team that they are,” the lawsuit says.

Glorida Allred, a prominent feminist attorney who is representing the five cheerleaders, called on Texans players to “stand up for [their] coworkers” in a statement provided to the Houston Chronicle.

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“Pay these women what they deserve, and be sure you pay them for every minute they work,” she said. “Everyone who supports this team while how these cheerleaders are being treated are complicit … Do not stand silently by while these women who dance and work so hard to build enthusiasm and help you win are paid almost nothing while you earn millions of dollars for your efforts.”

The cheerleaders are seeking unspecified damages for severe “mental and emotional distress.”

“We are proud of the cheerleader program and have had hundreds of women participate and enjoy their experience while making a positive impact in the local community,” a spokesperson for the team said in a statement. “We are constantly evaluating our procedures and will continue to make adjustments as needed to make the program enjoyable for everyone.”

The suit comes one month after another former cheerleader filed a class-action lawsuit accusing the team of underpaying her and coaches of body-shaming cheerleaders.