The Oakland Raiderettes will finally earn a little more than minimum wage for the estimated 350 hours of work they each put into the city's famed football franchise every year, executing rigorous cheer routines and appearing at charity events — many of which offered no remuneration.
That's at least a tentative step toward gender equality in the NFL. Traditionally, Raiderettes earned $125 per game, delivered in a single paycheck at the end of of the season. They were required to purchase equipment — including yoga mats, bras, and false eyelashes — without reimbursement. They were fined for showing up late to practice, or not bringing the right pom-poms. They were paid a pittance in comparison to mascots, who reportedly earn between
$23,000 and $65,000 per year, plus benefits.
Now the Raiders will have to disgorge $1.25 million in backpay to settle a
closely watched wage theft suit with the team's cheerleaders, per an agreement hashed out yesterday. And from now on the team will pay $9 an hour, plus overtime, in a check delivered every two weeks.
