He is also suing the NFL, alleging the league is a joint employer and violated antitrust laws by acting in concert with franchises to depress cheerleader wages. Bradshaw claims that cheerleader contracts must be filed with and approved by the NFL.
The NFL has said the decision to have cheerleaders at all is the club’s choice. Six of the league’s 32 teams have no cheering squads. In an emailed statement, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says, “The league has no role in the selection, duties, hours or wages of team cheerleaders.”
Vinick, who is co-counsel on another cheerleader lawsuit against the Jets, doubts the NFL is liable for the actions of its franchises.
“Whether they’re legally obligated is separate from what they should be doing,” she notes. “What they should be doing is making sure all the employees are treated in comportment with whatever the state law is.”