Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Cincinnati Bengals May Have Violated Fair Labor Standards Act
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: March 7, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
Fair Labor Standards Act Violation
NFL teams employ cheerleaders to roam the sidelines during games for the purpose of entertaining fans and cheering on the players. It also appears that some teams may be taking advantage of these women with poor wages as the second complaint in a few months was recently filed against a team. These issues may, in fact, violate the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Previously, Oakland Raiderettes claimed they were underpaid, and now a Cincinnati Bengal’s cheerleader has lodged a similar complaint. According to Fox Sports, Alexa Brenneman said she is compensated at most – $90 per home game – despite attending mandatory practices, public appearances and calendar posing and promotions.
The Complaint
Brenneman’s complaint accuses the Bengals of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, which created a federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. She said she works more than 300 hours a year for the team, and her pay comes out to less than $2.85 per hour. If that is the case, the team is also in violation of the Ohio Minimum Fair Wage Standards Act, which states employees in Ohio must be paid at the wage rate of no less than $7.85 per hour, which is the current minimum wage in Ohio.
With the negative attention these cases have brought to the teams it will be interesting to see if the NFL changes its policies for using independent contractors – which cheerleaders are considered. Professional sports teams need to be sure that agreements with independent contractors meet federal and state labor laws or else risk facing legal action like the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.
Organizations that are unsure as to whether or not their agreements are in compliance with labor laws would be wise to seek the consultation of a sports attorney.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan
Once a child turns 18, parents lose the automatic legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, even if the child still lives at home or remains on the family’s insurance. Three documents close that gap: a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy or directive, and a HIPAA authorization. For […]
Author: George McGowan
Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips
Business mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps companies negotiate a resolution to a commercial dispute without going to trial. Because working with a mediator is very different from litigating in the courtroom, it is important to understand how commercial mediation works, when it makes sense for your dispute, […]
Author: Paul Grossman
Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation
The five most common causes of construction defect litigation are design defects, substandard materials, workmanship defects, code violations, and subsurface defects. Because these flaws can compromise a building’s integrity, functionality, or safety, they frequently lead to disputes involving multiple parties and high financial stakes. Key takeaways: What is Construction Defect Litigation? Construction litigation is complex, […]
Author: Paul Grossman
How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce
The most effective ways to protect your business in a divorce are put in place before one begins: a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, clean separation of business and personal finances, and divorce contingencies built into your operating or buy-sell agreements. If divorce is already underway, the priorities shift to establishing how the business is classified […]
Author: Jay McDaniel
10 Common Issues in Franchise Disputes
The most common franchise disputes involve breach of contract, franchise termination and non-renewal, intellectual property rights, territorial encroachment, royalty and fee payments, franchisor support obligations, and violations of state franchise laws such as the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Franchisors and franchisees can often resolve these conflicts by providing written notice detailing the dispute and […]
Author: Paul Grossman
Reputational Risk and Legal Exposure: Why New Jersey Businesses Must Manage Them Together
New Jersey businesses must manage legal and reputational risk together because modern disputes play out on two fronts at once: the legal proceeding itself and the court of public opinion, where customers, employees, investors, and business partners often reach conclusions long before a judge or jury has had the opportunity to evaluate the facts. Success […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.