Raiders' cheerleaders get raise to minimum wage

The Oakland Raiders have agreed to pay their cheerleaders, the Raiderettes, minimum wage for all hours worked, according to the Los Angeles Times' Robin Abcarian

The Oakland Raiders have agreed to pay their cheerleaders, the Raiderettes, minimum wage for all hours worked, according to the Los Angeles Times' Robin Abcarian.

In January, the Raiderettes filed a lawsuit against the team claiming theft of wages and unfair employment practices. The cheerleaders were being paid $125 for each home game, but were not being compensated for promotional work or reimbursed for travel expenses.

Abcarian reports their compensation will rise from $1,250 to around $3,200. The raise will also save the Raiders from further litigation, according to Abcarian.

The paltry raise also means the team will no longer be vulnerable to allegations that it has violated a laundry list of state labor laws including failing to pay minimum wage, illegally deducting wages for minor rules infractions like tardiness, failing to reimburse mandatory business expenses and issuing paychecks only once a year.

Similar lawsuits have been filed by former cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills, the Cincinnati Bengals, the New York Jets and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Raiders finished last season 4-12 in last place in the AFC West.

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- Paul Palladino