Oakland Raiders Settle Cheerleaders' Lawsuit for $1.25M

Not only did the Oakland Raiders lose on the field last week (19-14 to the New York Jets), but they also admitted defeat in a legal battle with their own cheerleading squad.

The Raiders agreed last week to settle a class action wage theft lawsuit filed on behalf of 90 current and former members of the Raiderettes, reports the Los Angeles Times. If approved by the court, the $1.25 million settlement will include a pay raise for current Raiderettes and thousands of dollars in back pay for those worked as cheerleaders over the last four seasons.

What do the cheerleaders claim the Raiders did wrong?

Wage, Hour Violations Alleged

The lawsuit was originally filed by Raiders cheerleader Lacy T. earlier this year. In her lawsuit, Lacy alleged that Raiders cheerleaders were paid well below California's minimum wage when the large number of contractually obligated, but unpaid, duties was factored into their work hours. Those duties also allegedly resulted in unpaid overtime.

The lawsuit further claimed that the Raiders violated California law by withholding the cheerleaders' pay until the end of the season and forcing the Raiderettes to pay for expensive, required accessories such as tights, yoga mats, and fake eyelashes.

After a second Raiderette joined the lawsuit earlier this year, the suit was granted class action status on behalf of the 90 women who had worked as cheerleaders for the team since 2010.

Terms of the Settlement

The terms of the proposed $1.25 million settlement include payments to the members of the class, attorney's fees, expenses, and other costs.

Each class member will receive a share of the settlement based upon both the number of seasons in which they worked as Raiderettes, and which seasons they worked. For example, members of last season's squad will receive less money from the settlement as they were paid twice as much as those from previous seasons, were paid overtime, and traveled less than members of previous years' squads.

In addition to their share of the back pay paid to all the class members, the two Raiderettes who were the named class representatives -- Lacy T. and the second Raiderette to join her case, Sarah G. -- will receive $10,000 "in recognition of their service to the class."

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Related Resources:

• Cheerleaders reach $1.25 million settlement in lawsuit against Raiders (CBS Sports)
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• Wage Theft Lawsuits On the Rise: 5 Tips for Business Owners (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
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