Life as a professional cheerleader is NOT easy. As part of a lawsuit, the Buffalo Bills’ cheerleading handbook is going viral, and the rules the ladies on the team have to abide by are absolutely insane. Find out some of the crazy demands right here!
Imagine being an adult and being told how to shower, what to eat and how to look each and every day? That’s what life is like for the Buffalo Bills’ professional cheerleaders! We’re totally appalled by the set of guidelines the team has to follow — and you should be, too.
The team’s handbook was investigated by a judge as part of a lawsuit against the Buffalo Bills football program, when the NFL team insisted their cheerleaders are an independent organization, so they have no “labor rights,” and could not demand higher pay. Luckily for the ladies, the judge ruled in their favor, and announced that their insane governing system definitely does not make them “independent.”
So, what is included in this crazy handbook? The cheerleaders are literally told what products they’re allowed to use on their “intimate areas.” “Never use a deodorant or chemically enhanced product,” the rule says. “Simple non-deodorant soap will help maintain the right PH balance.” Oh, and they’re also instructed to change their tampons every four hours during that time of the month. Ridiculous!
Looks are obviously important in this profession, but the standards the team must meet are appalling. Their hair must be worn “in a glamorous style with no clips or tie-backs,” and there’s an actual rule that says they must wash their faces every night before going to sleep. But one of my personal favorites? “Do not overeat bread in a formal setting.” Seriously? We needed to get THAT specific?
The cheerleaders reportedly only make $1,800 each in an entire season (WTF?!), and wanted to sue as a group to change that. The judge agreed that this crazy handbook full of strict guidelines definitely allows them to do so, but it’s gearing up to be an epic battle: The Bills are planning to appeal, according to their spokesperson. Oh boy!
HollywoodLifers, what do you think of these crazy demands? Are you shocked?