https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 03:24:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more/page/2#post-1620722 Thu, 08 May 2014 07:37:44 +0000 Lindsay05 1620722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely they should get paid more. They are providing entertainment for the public. Some teams are known for their cheerleading team so why shouldnt they earn a higher percentage (or at least some) of the profit? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more/page/2#post-1620704 Thu, 08 May 2014 07:17:41 +0000 pui 1620704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>$12/hour seems like the minimum I would have expected they get paid.</p> <p>A singer or a pianist doesn't typically get paid for all the hours they practise (Nevermind all the hours of learning that skill over a lifetime), but I usually get about $100 a performance (like 20 minutes of actual singing, an hour of my time being there and any travel time) </p> <p>However... Clearly people are willing to work this job for this wage. Sounds like it's an attractive work environment. I'm guessing their travel arrangements and room and board is probably covered. They get to travel the country, meet people, be on TV. Also I bet it looks good on a resume. I know of many models, actresses and dancers that were NFL cheerleaders. </p> <p>If they feel the wage isn't worth it, they shouldn't work the job. No one is forcing anyone to be a cheerleader. Hopefully if they are not getting enough cheerleaders or no good ones, they'll start offering more money for the job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620702 Thu, 08 May 2014 07:14:44 +0000 Anagram 1620702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: I agree with you. I feel like a hobby is something that doesn't really have requirements. Like I used to like salsa dancing (Pre LO) and I would have considered it my hobby because I took lessons, went to salsa workshops and went dancing on weekends. But...I didn't *have* to attend a certain amount of lessons or workshops or dance parties. I wasn't weighed and graded and judged and "benched" if I did something wrong.</p> <p>A hobby is like, sewing clothes in your own house--where you can do it when/if you feel like it. It becomes a job when you *have* to do certain things--like if you start selling on Etsy and then have to finish a certain amount of product in a specific time frame.</p> <p>I agree with the Slate article that it's because of sexism that we all keep insisting that this is a hobby when to me, it's clear that the requirements are far too stringent for this to be considered a hobby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620692 Thu, 08 May 2014 06:59:21 +0000 mlm2934 1620692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They most definitely should be paid a fair wage. Just because it can be considered a hobby doesn't mean it isn't work.<br /> The NFL promotes and profits off of them, so they should be compensated fairly. Modeling doesn't seem like work to me, more a hobby, but girls are paid properly for that. Same should be true for professional cheerleaders. I would argue that something with such strict requirements (required practices, weight, promotional time etc) starts to leave the hobby category.<br /> Especially when the weekly hours are enough to infringe of the time available for your "real" job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620665 Thu, 08 May 2014 06:37:00 +0000 MamaMoose 1620665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do think they should get paid enough that their hourly rate works out to at least minimum wage. But honestly, it's a hobby. No one goes into it expecting for it to be their only job. And they don't have to travel, they only perform at home games.</p> <p>For everyone saying the cheerleaders should be paid more simply because the athletes and the NFL as a whole make so much money that's really not a valid point. Outside of the Dallas Cowboys the cheerleaders add very little value to the game. Do they do entertaining dances? Sure. Would ticket sales suffer AT ALL if there were no cheerleaders? Nope. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620637 Thu, 08 May 2014 05:45:52 +0000 Charm54 1620637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Considering the millions and millions of dollars the NFL takes in every year the cheerleaders should definitely get paid more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620634 Thu, 08 May 2014 05:35:05 +0000 Anagram 1620634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they should be paid something like $20 an hour for games and official practice time and then minimum wage for a set amount of time a week (maybe 10 hrs) for fitness time. That would still only equal probably $1000-1500 a month which is super low but at least slightly more worth it. Then if they have another part time job, they can scrape by. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620571 Thu, 08 May 2014 00:35:56 +0000 lemondrop 1620571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that NFL cheerleaders absolutely should be paid more- especially with the profits the NFL brings in. My SIL used to be an NFL cheerleader and you really have to LOVE dance/cheer it for the amount of work you put in. She had a full time job because there was no way she could support herself on that ridiculous pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620509 Wed, 07 May 2014 22:35:05 +0000 Mrs.Panda 1620509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't see why they can't get paid minimum wage for the season just like other seasonal jobs. Sure it's more of a hobby and a passion than other jobs, but minimum wage isn't much to compensate them with especially with the amount of money professional sports teams make. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620498 Wed, 07 May 2014 22:11:29 +0000 DillonLion 1620498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, same for college athletes. This is a huge talking point for me lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1620414 Wed, 07 May 2014 20:56:41 +0000 Maysprout 1620414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I think they should paid.<br /> I was floored when I found out they weren't. The NFL highlights them plenty and the NFL isn't hurting for money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619713 Wed, 07 May 2014 15:16:57 +0000 meredithNYC 1619713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone deserves a living wage, so yes. And honestly, just because low pay has always been associated with professional cheerleading doesn't make it right. </p> <p>I heard an interview on NPR with a woman who did quite a bit of research into the lifestyle of professional cheerleading and she said that one of the problems with unionization is that the cheerleaders are generally on the younger end of the spectrum, and thus, the turnover rate for the job (or should I say hobby?) is high. So basically, with most women moving on by their mid-20's, say, there aren't really many experienced "older" women who are well-versed in the practice of unionizing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619634 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:51:37 +0000 blackbird 1619634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my friend used to be an NFL cheerleader. And for her, it WAS just a fun job/hobby. They don't get paid much, but all the extras are free--hair, makeup, nails, tanning. That's all comped by the team. She did not travel, though, and it was only home games. And there are only, what, 10 home football games a year? Anyways, she loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619626 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:50:15 +0000 Mamaof2 1619626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: that's what they were saying on the radio - that if they push too hard the NFL will let them leave </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619615 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:47:00 +0000 deactivated_account 1619615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know they don't get paid much. But one of my friends was an NFL cheerleader while another friend was a cheerleader for the NBA. Both girls did it while in college and always recall the experience as amazing. Maybe they should be paid more, but I bet a ton of girls would PAY money out of their own pockets to be a professional cheerleader. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619613 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:46:51 +0000 looch 1619613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have really learned a lot by reading this thread, I had no idea they weren't paid a fair wage.</p> <p>I kind of feel like the responsibility is on the cheerleaders though, if they feel they should be paid more, then they need to organize themselves and protest until their demands are met. I feel like the problem they are facing is that if they do organize and strike, they might just be cut altogether, it's hard to know what the outcome is going to be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619606 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:45:19 +0000 LuLu Mom 1619606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes, I do believe they deserve more. However, they choose to do it going in with the knowledge of the pay. If they are so opposed to it, then they shouldn't do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619600 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:43:28 +0000 sunny 1619600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes they should get paid a real wage. I don't know a ton (I watched the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders reality show a few years ago) but they have to audition, attend practices, attend promos, attend games, etc. They should be paid for their work. It doesn't matter that the job is highly sought after. You shouldn't have to work for free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619596 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:42:40 +0000 Meridian 1619596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What?? That sounds crazy, this seems like it should be considered a job with fair pay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619594 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:41:14 +0000 jedeve 1619594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaJ: @meganmp: Even if something is a side job, I think they should still receive the minimum wage. The NFL is profiting off of what they do. Part-time jobs should be protected too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619592 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:39:33 +0000 mrbee 1619592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Let's open up a separate thread on just college athletes! About to go on a run, but will comment there when I get back! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619589 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:38:10 +0000 Mamaof2 1619589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: How do you feel about that? I don't agree at all - aren't they already getting a free ride to school? I think playing college ball is a way to get your foot into the NFL and THEN get paid!</p> <p>Will this be with all college sports or just football? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619585 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:37:01 +0000 snowjewelz 1619585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it can really count as a side-job or hobby even... I think I've seen either a reality or documentary on TV and between practices, photo-ops, travelling for games etc. I doubt there's much time left to devote to other job(s)! To me they are professional dancers and they def deserve to get paid like they're at a regular job, w/ benefits too!</p> <p>ETA: Of course, my opinion is soley based on what I think I know :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619584 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:36:31 +0000 mrbee 1619584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: With college athletes... if the unionization push is successful at all, it could have huge ramifications. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619581 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:35:40 +0000 Chillybear 1619581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i dont think the cheerleaders go to away games.... Only the superbowl </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619580 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:35:39 +0000 MamaJ 1619580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meganmp: I agree. I "work" as a dance teacher 2 nights a week. I could never live off the pay. But I love it, so I do it. I wasn't hired for it to be a real "job". Like you said, it's a hobby I get a small amount of money for. </p> <p>I think they should get paid more. At least during the season and when they train/all the time they put into it. If it's off season and their off time then perhaps they don't need to get paid during that time, in which they can work somewhere else in the meantime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619578 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:34:30 +0000 swurlygurl 1619578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally think they should get paid more.<br /> I know it is mostly hobby, but it does require a lot of time and effort. Plus, the owners and players make PLENTY of money - they can afford to share a little with the cheerleaders! Especially since the cheerleaders are a big part of *some* of the teams. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619576 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:34:07 +0000 wonderstruck 1619576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, NFL football players get paid TONS of money, and in my eyes what they're doing is a hobby too. I don't know if I have an opinion either way (well, other than thinking football players make wayyyyy too much money for running with a ball - sorry, sports fans) but I am surprised they make so little. I'm assuming the team pays for their travel expenses? It would still be pretty cool to get to travel for free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619572 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:32:29 +0000 Mamaof2 1619572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: with college athletes or cheerleaders? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-nfl-cheerleaders-get-paid-more#post-1619571 Wed, 07 May 2014 14:32:28 +0000 Trailmix 1619571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my bridesmaids was a cheerleader for a team in New England and the hours required were usually between 20-25 a week, certainly enough to be considered a job and all of them took it very seriously! She could only miss one practice an entire season (practices were Tues/Thurs/Sat) or she'd be cut, plus she always had to do promos, appearances, etc. There were definitely perks but the amount of work and dedication she had to put forth in order to sustain her team membership certainly equaled higher pay than she was making (I think it was $8/hr and they could bill their hours each week.) </p>