TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have recently settled the class action lawsuit brought against them for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ cheerleaders were one of many National Football League (NFL) cheerleading teams to bring a wage and overtime pay lawsuit against their NFL team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to pay as much as $825,000 in a class action lawsuit that includes nearly 100 cheerleaders. The settlement still needs court approval, but the settlement, once approved, will resolve the dispute between the parties.
The Cheerleading Case
Last year, the Tampa Bay cheerleaders, led by Manouchcar Pierre-Val, filed a lawsuit against the NFL team in Florida federal court. The cheerleaders alleged that they would regularly work more than 40 hours in a week during the regular season, but would not receive compensation for all of the hours they worked. The cheerleaders also claimed they did not receive overtime or compensation for their time spent in practice during the pre-season. According to Pierre-Val’s claims, she would earn $100 per game. However, she claims she did not receive any additional compensation for time spent in practices, at publicity events for the team, or for expenses associated with maintaining the Buccaneer cheerleader look.
The Settlement
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to deny any wage violations occurred; however, the team felt it was in both parties’ best interest to settle the case. From the nearly $825,000 to be paid, the 94 current and former cheerleaders are expected to receive slightly more than $5,000 each per season they worked for the team. The amount each cheerleader is expected to receive is the amount they are estimated to have received had they been paid minimum wage for all of the hours they worked each season. The cheerleaders may receive up to five seasons worth of compensation. This settlement is the second settlement between an NFL team and its cheerleaders. And, as a result of the multiple and ongoing wage and overtime lawsuits, many NFL teams have begun paying cheerleaders an hourly wage at or above minimum wage.
There are a number of outcomes possible when a wage or overtime pay claim is brought. Settlements and court-ordered awards are generally considered some of the better outcomes, but in some instances, if an employer changes the way its employees are paid or how hours and wages are calculated then the claim can be considered successful. If you believe you have been denied the overtime wages you have earned or your employer is not properly calculating your wages, contact our overtime pay lawyers today. Our knowledgeable team of overtime pay lawyers can be reached at (855) 754-2795, or by completing our Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form. If we accept your case, we will represent you under our No Fee Promise. This means there are no legal fees or costs unless you receive a settlement.