Buffalo Bills cheerleaders sue over pay

Five former Buffalo Bills cheerleaders on Tuesday sued the team over a pay system they say had them working hundreds of hours for free at games and at mandatory public appearances at which they were subjected to groping and sexual comments, and one said they had to take a jiggle test so their boss could see how firm their bodies were.

The case against the Bills says its cheerleaders, the Buffalo Jills, are wrongly classified as independent contractors and are subjected to policies that violate the state’s $8 per hour minimum wage law and other workplace rules.

The Bills’ cheerleaders aren’t paid for games or practices and have to make 20-35 appearances, most of which are unpaid, at community and charity events each season, the lawsuit said.

Their complaint describes “demeaning and degrading treatment,” including being required to wear bikinis at various events such as an annual golf tournament at which cheerleaders were “auctioned off like prizes” and subjected to “degrading sexual comments and inappropriate touching.” The cheerleaders and their attorney said they hope their legal action leads to policy changes within the Bills’ organization that ensure future cheerleaders are paid and treated better.