A former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader has filed a lawsuit against the the franchise for unfair labor practices, claiming the team mascot made more than she did.
Erica Wilkins, who was with the team from May 2014 to August 2017, filed the suit in U.S. District Court for Northern District of Texas on Tuesday and claimed she and other cheerleaders weren't paid fairly under the Equal Pay Act. The suit claims the Cowboys failed to pay minimum wage and overtime. Wilkins also alleges that she made less than a quarter of what the mascot made.
“They’re profiting off our images and our bodies that we work so hard to keep in shape,” Wilkins told WFAA-TV. “We put in so much work and not to be compensated fairly is really an injustice.”
In the suit, Wilkins’ attorney said she was paid $8 an hour while "Rowdy" the mascot was paid $25 an hour. Wilkins claims she averaged $14,448 in annual compensation compared to the $65,000 Rowdy was paid, according USA Today. However, the filing says that Wilkins was, “…not paid for all hours worked when paid on an hourly basis.”
“Rowdy is in a costume, you have no look requirements, no height requirements, and no weight requirements," Wilkins said.
Wilkins' lawsuit comes shortly after three former Texans cheerleaders filed a suit last month, claiming they were subjected to harassment and were not paid the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
“I want to make a difference for not just past or current members, but for future ones,” Wilkins said. “No one ever wants to speak out because they’re just so afraid of losing their spot.”