NFL teams are very serious about how they’re represented in public. While certain teams demand that their cheerleaders act in a certain way, others don’t want the cheerleaders associated with the team at all for fear that they might say something that reflects poorly on the organization.
The San Francisco 49ers told their cheerleaders that they couldn’t tell anyone they were part of the team. Think about that – all that work to become a professional cheerleader and you can’t even tell anyone what your job is.
They Can’t Disagree With Authority
Cheerleading handbooks make it clear that whatever the people on top say is the law. The cheerleaders aren’t allowed to disagree with their superiors, no matter how ridiculous their demands might be.
In some cases, cheerleaders have been harassed at events and forced to entertain guests in a very escort-like setting. If women spoke out about their poor treatment, they were often fired. The cheerleaders aren’t allowed to disobey or put forth their own opinions, meaning they’re required to simply fall in line or lose their jobs.
They Must Show Up For Work Five Hours Before Kickoff
While the football players are on the field, cheerleaders also have a long day. They’re not allowed to sit down and they don’t have any replacements, so they’re usually up and moving for the entirety of the game, which often lasts three hours or more.
While that’s already a hefty commitment, some NFL teams like the Carolina Panthers require their cheerleaders to arrive five hours before kickoff. That extends their workday to seven or more hours, most of which is spent on their feet.
They Must Regularly Exercise
Cheerleading is a big workout in itself. However, showing up to the constant practices isn’t enough according to the NFL. Many NFL teams demand that their cheerleaders exercise regularly outside of normal practices.
To meet this guideline, the cheerleaders have to pay for gym memberships. It’s yet another bill they have to cover in order to earn their spot of the team.
They Must Accept Low Wages
NFL cheerleaders are strictly forbidden from complaints of any kind, including complaints about their wages. If they do complain, they’ll probably be fired and it’s unlikely they’ll ever feel comfortable enough to ask for a raise.
This mindset really affects the cheerleaders because they’re paid almost nothing. After all the expenses that go into being a cheerleader are deducted, studies found that some girls make as little as $2.85 an hour. Some girls never break even and end up spending much more than they make just to stay on the team.