News

Judge tosses suit against NFL over cheerleader wages

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif. A former 49ers cheerleader has filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, alleging NFL executives and team owners are conspiring to suppress wages for cheerleaders. Photo: Associated Press/AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge says a lawsuit accusing the NFL and team owners of conspiring to suppress wages for cheerleaders lacks evidence to support that claim.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup dismissed the lawsuit by a former San Francisco 49ers cheerleader. The suit sought class action status on behalf of all NFL cheerleaders.

Alsup’s order — issued on Thursday — said the lawsuit fails to provide the details of “who did what, to whom…, where, and when” to support its claim of an NFL conspiracy over cheerleader wages.

An email to an attorney for the 49ers cheerleader, Drexel Bradshaw, was not immediately returned. The cheerleader was only identified in the suit as “Kelsey K.”


File Photo: Attorney Drexel Bradshaw, representing a former
NFL cheerleader identified only as “Jane Doe,” speaks at a news
conference in San Francisco, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017. The
former San Francisco 49ers cheerleader filed a federal lawsuit
Tuesday alleging NFL executives and team owners are conspiring
to suppress wages for cheerleaders. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Alsup gave her an opportunity to amend the lawsuit and refile it by June 15.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Recent Headlines

8 hours ago in Sports

Raleigh, Suarez, Crawford homer and Mariners top Tigers 8-4 for a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series

The Seattle Mariners are on the brink of a spot in the AL Championship series for the first time in 24 years. Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer, Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford had solo shots and Seattle beat the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series.

9 hours ago in Sports

Judge rallies Yankees past Blue Jays 9-6 to save season and avert ALDS sweep

Aaron Judge hit a tying homer and drove in four runs during a clutch performance for the ages, and the New York Yankees staved off elimination by rallying from five runs down to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-6 on Tuesday night in Game 3 of their AL Division Series.

1 day ago in Sports

NFL fines Jerry Jones $250,000 for obscene MetLife gesture he says was inadvertent

The NFL said Tuesday it has fined Jerry Jones $250,000 for an obscene gesture toward fans at MetLife Stadium that the Dallas owner said was "inadvertent" and intended for fans of the Cowboys, not the New York Jets.

1 day ago in Sports

Alex Ovechkin is ready for his 21st season in Washington and his first after turning 40

When Alex Ovechkin was asked what he is most looking forward to on opening night this season, his answer was a subtle reminder that the 40-year-old version of the star forward is different than the player who entered the NHL two decades ago.

1 day ago in Sports

Mistake-prone Chiefs blame themselves for crushing loss at Jaguars

Patrick Mahomes had an interception returned 99 yards for a touchdown and the Chiefs were flagged 13 times for 109 yards in a 31-28 loss to the Jaguars. Four of those penalties came in the final 1:45. The mounting mistakes proved to be the difference in a back-and-forth game, the fifth one of the NFL's Week 5 decided in the final 30 seconds.