OT: Redskins required cheerleaders to pose topless for invited spectators

[Lion8286]

Washington Redskins cheerleaders were required to pose topless for a photo shoot in 2013, while spectators invited by the team looked on, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

Some of the cheerleaders were then required to attend a nightclub event as escorts for some of the team's male sponsors, according to the Times.

The cheerleaders said there was no sex involved, but they felt the team was "pimping us out." The incidents occurred on a weeklong trip to Costa Rica, for which the cheerleaders were not paid.

"It's just not right to send cheerleaders out with strange men when some of the girls clearly don't want to go," one of the women told the paper. "But unfortunately, I feel like it won't change until something terrible happens, like a girl is assaulted in some way, or raped. I think teams will start paying attention to this only when it's too late."

The Times also described an annual, mandatory boat outing with sponsors. Some of the women characterized the 2012 trip as "a wild gathering, where men shot liquor into the cheerleaders' mouths with turkey basters. Below the deck, men handed out cash prizes in twerking contests."

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ose-topless-2013-photo-shoot-according-report

NY Times article with more details. . .
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/sports/redskins-cheerleaders-nfl.html

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

What I don’t get is how extremely little these women are paid. I mean, if you’re going to use your looks for income, there are jobs that pay much more.

 

[psuro]

Flags. All. Over. The. Field.

 

[OhioLion]

Flags. All. Over. The. Field.

Thought about that Ro, but wasn't sure if I would get a personal foul for flagging the OP since the tone of the article is demeaning. But after further review, Ro is correct in demanding a flag be thrown. No timeout is charged.



OL

 

[Lion8286]

Flags. All. Over. The. Field.

Have at it.
http://www.redskins.com/media-galle...b88f79ba#b6065c84-e5c1-4e23-b889-77c1ee471f96

 

[NittPicker]

If they didn't want to pose topless and take trips then why did they? I get all the #metoo considerations but the women were getting paid squat so it's not as though their livelihoods were threatened.

 

[Sproul]

NFL cheerleaders get $50 per game. I don’t understand why anyone would do it. Prestige I guess, but for $50 a week???

 

[Art]

NFL cheerleaders get $50 per game. I don’t understand why anyone would do it. Prestige I guess, but for $50 a week???

They do it because they think it will provide an entree into another career like dancing or modelling. Is it realistic? Probably not. But those are tough areas to break into and people will grasp at whatever opportunities they have, slender as they might be.

 

[RTLH]

NFL cheerleaders get $50 per game. I don’t understand why anyone would do it. Prestige I guess, but for $50 a week???

I was very friendly with a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader. You are right on the $50.00 per game. Not only that they have to sign all royalties over to the team.
They basically do it to make connections.
If they get discovered for something else then they can have at it but can't use the cheerleader likeness.
As far as basic photo shoots they all have to do it. As far as posing topless or lingerie they may be asked and know it going in but dont have to do it if they don't want.

 

[LionDeNittany]

NFL cheerleaders get $50 per game. I don’t understand why anyone would do it. Prestige I guess, but for $50 a week???

Really? I would suggest $50 is overpaid but likely legally required. The Redskins could charge $50 a game and there would likely be no change in number of applications for cheerleader positions.

If they aren't cheerleaders they are spending hours unpaid waiting in rooms for casting calls.

LdN

 

[Obliviax]

What I don’t get is how extremely little these women are paid. I mean, if you’re going to use your looks for income, there are jobs that pay much more.

Supply and demand

 

[Obliviax]

They do it because they think it will provide an entree into another career like dancing or modelling. Is it realistic? Probably not. But those are tough areas to break into and people will grasp at whatever opportunities they have, slender as they might be.

Paula abdul

 

[Art]

I'd like to see those cheerleader contracts to which the Redskins's statement alludes. Going to guess they're in no hurry to subject them to public scrutiny.

 

[hotmetal]

This is why traditional teams don't have no cheerleaders. Browns and Stlllers, for example.

 

[psuro]

This is why traditional teams don't have no cheerleaders. Browns and Stlllers, for example.

Or because no girls from Cleveland or Pittsburgh should shown in a cheerleaders outfit?

 

[Bob78]

Lesson learned for cheerleaders of all professional teams, I hope. Once the team officials took their passports upon arrival, the women probably knew something was up to no good, but no one had the courage to question or challenge why it was necessary to take them. Hopefully, after this, someone would.

And while the expectations may have been ok with some of the women, the team had an obligation to explain it all up front and give people the chance to opt out of the trip, even if that meant giving up their cheerleading gig. Posing in sexy swimwear is one thing, but being expected to be topless in front of an audience not associated with the photo shoot is another.

The women are right to be pissed off, even if they were careless with the contract they signed. If they are limited by what they can do via their contract, as I suspect they are, then those contracts need to be better scrutinized in the future.

$50 token payment is what it is. I'm sure that comes to less than minimum wage given their practice time and other community events obligations. But, they signed up for it, so no argument with the pay. But, I'd expect that this kind of negative pub along the lines of exploitation - especially in the NFL, with its no tolerance for domestic abuse approach - is something the teams and leagues want to avoid and prevent. Future cheerleader applicants may be fewer in number.

I'm in the camp of not understanding why pro teams need cheerleaders anyway... it's obviously little more than eye candy for the fan base. Whatever community events they do could still be fulfilled without cheerleaders. I mean, we all like to look at purty wimmins, but not at the cost of deceiving them and exploiting them against reasonable expectations.

Just my opinion.

 

[hotmetal]

Or because no girls from Cleveland or Pittsburgh should shown in a cheerleaders outfit?

I guess you ain't been to Cle or the Burgh. But, I see you are an expert when it comes to soft porn.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I’m sure L’il Danny Snyder was sickened by the thought of even paying them $50 per game

 

[psuro]

I guess you ain't been to Cle or the Burgh. But, I see you are an expert when it comes to soft porn.

I have. Far too often. And that's why I can make the comment that I did.

 

[swordsman_l]

So I live in DC.
Listening to Sportstalk radio on the way home.
Steve Czaban, of sportstalk 980 WTEM (mentioned in the report, and conveniently owned by the Redskins) says "i cant really talk about this story, havent read it in detail and looked into the allegations".

What an effin hypocrite.
Him and the other 980 clowns had no problem calling Paterno a pedophile before learning anything whatsoever regarding the Sandusky scandal.

 

[Norm Petersin]

Skins in heep big trouble.

 

[Schizophrenic_MackDaddy]

What I don’t get is how extremely little these women are paid. I mean, if you’re going to use your looks for income, there are jobs that pay much more.

They need Br.ent Musburger as their agent. Just ask Jen Sterger. Her (ahem) career took off after Brent and ranked after d1ck pics from Favre.

 

[Kamovitch]

Do what the Steelers do. No need for cheerleaders.

 

[Lion8286]

Do what the Steelers do. No need for cheerleaders.

Great idea! Now all the Redskins have to do is invent a time machine that takes them back to 2012.

 

[wbcincy]

I have. Far too often. And that's why I can make the comment that I did.

Halle Berry is from Cleveland. Consider your point refuted!

 

[LionFan87b]

A team nicknamed the Skins is doing this, and people are surprised? Just as they were surprised a few years back when several Vikings players got out of control on a boat? All jokes aside, this sounds pretty bad.

 

[demlion]

Sounds like human trafficking to me--especially the "taking passports" bit.

 

[psuro]

Have at it.
http://www.redskins.com/media-galle...b88f79ba#b6065c84-e5c1-4e23-b889-77c1ee471f96

I expected more. And by "more" I mean "less".

 

[Obliviax]

So.... What is the 'line' between twerking to 80000 and a bunch of weird dudes at a resort?

 

[psuro]

So.... What is the 'line' between twerking to 80000 and a bunch of weird dudes at a resort?

Well apparently $50.

 

[Raffycorn]

This whole story is just gross. Washington looks terrible here - and I wouldn’t be surprised if cheerleaders from other teams have similar stories about terrible treatment.

 

[wbcincy]

So.... What is the 'line' between twerking to 80000 and a bunch of weird dudes at a resort?

I'd say the part where their passports are taken.

 

[demlion]

Disgraceful if true.

 

[Woodpecker]

This is why traditional teams don't have no cheerleaders. Browns and Stlllers, for example.

Not that anyone asked but my Packers had professional cheerleaders as early as 1931. However they decided not to use them in 1988 and have since used college cheerleaders at their home games.

 

[NittPicker]

Do what the Steelers do. No need for cheerleaders.

Imagine if the Steelers had cheerleaders and Big Ben was on the loose. It's good for all involved that there are no cheerleaders at Heinz Field.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

this all falls on Daniel Snyder, who couldn't care less

 

[wbcincy]

this all falls on Daniel Snyder, who couldn't care less

Maybe he can quote a worthlessly flawed poll to say that most cheerleaders are proud of these actions and don't find them offensive.

 

[Bob78]

So.... What is the 'line' between twerking to 80000 and a bunch of weird dudes at a resort?

They know what the routines are, and have agreed to perform as a cheerleader on game day.

They were not told about all of the expectations while participating in the Caribbean trip. It is reasonable that at least some of those untold expectations would cross a line for someone.

The line is in knowing what you've agreed to, and not knowing what you're expected to do.

I find it easy to be empathetic with these women and their complaints. How would I feel about it if it were my daughter or wife or fiance or some woman I cared deeply about? Making women feel vulnerable and helpless is the point here, imo. That's a very dangerous line to cross, and basic ethics and some morality makes that line very clear, imo.

 

[Obliviax]

They know what the routines are, and have agreed to perform as a cheerleader on game day.

They were not told about all of the expectations while participating in the Caribbean trip. It is reasonable that at least some of those untold expectations would cross a line for someone.

The line is in knowing what you've agreed to, and not knowing what you're expected to do.

I find it easy to be empathetic with these women and their complaints. How would I feel about it if it were my daughter or wife or fiance or some woman I cared deeply about? Making women feel vulnerable and helpless is the point here, imo. That's a very dangerous line to cross, and basic ethics and some morality makes that line very clear, imo.

Thanks for the explanation!!!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Comments from the Redskins:

"The Redskins' cheerleader program is one of the NFL's premier teams in participation, professionalism, and community service. Each Redskin cheerleader is contractually protected to ensure a safe and constructive environment. The work our cheerleaders do in our community, visiting our troops abroad, and supporting our team on the field is something the Redskins organization and our fans take great pride in."

(all that's good, but none of it addresses the claims made by the cheerleaders)

Comments from the NFL:

A spokesman for the N.F.L. said the lead office "has no role in how the clubs which have cheerleaders utilize them." He reiterate a statement the league has issued in response to previous news reports regarding the treatment of cheerleaders: "Our office will work with our clubs in sharing best practices and employment-related processes that will support club cheerleading squads within an appropriate and supportive workplace."

(approaches like that have a way of getting the league in trouble)

Comments from the director of the cheerleaders:

Stephanie Jojokian, the longtime director and choreographer fro the Redskins' cheerleaders, disputed much of the women's description of the Costa Rica trip. She vehemently denied that the night at the club was mandatory and said that the cheerleaders who went were not chose by sponsors.

"I was not forcing anyone to go at all," Mr. Jojokian said. "I'm the mama bear, and I really look out or everybody, not just the cheerleaders. It's a big family. We respect each other and our craft. It's such a supportive environment for these ladies."

(so, so supportive)

More disconnect between the cheerleaders and the "mama bear""

A half-dozen Redskins cheerleaders said Mr. Jojokain seemed especially focused on preserving relationship with businessmen who supported the team and her nonprofit dance company, Capitol Movement.

"There was a loty of pressure by the director for us to be a part of that party atmosphere with sponsors because we knew she picked favorites that way," one cheerleader said of Ms. Jojokain, who in 2011 told women auditioning for the squad, according to WJLA-TV in Washington: "Don't cover your chest area too much. We'll assume you are trying to hide something."

In an interview on Tuesday, Ms. Jojokain chocked up when she considered that some cheerleaders felt she did not fully support them.

"It breaks my heard because I'm a mom and I've done this for a long time," she said. "Where is this coming from? I would never put a woman in a situation like that. I actually mentor these women to be strong and to speak up, and it kills me to hear that."

(seems that the mentoring did work, so to speak, as some of the cheerleaders did speak up.)