Why the Buffalo Bills Won't Have Cheerleaders This Year
The professional cheerleading squad has suspended operations over allegations by workers that they were forced to work hundreds of hours for free and subjected to groping and sexual comments.
Pack up the pom-poms in Buffalo, because the Bills will be playing without the support of their official cheerleaders this year.
Stephanie Mateczun, whose company manages the Buffalo Jills cheerleading squad, said Thursday she has suspended operations through at least the end of the season. The decision was made two days after five former Jills filed a lawsuit complaining they worked hundreds of hours for free, and were subjected to groping and sexual comments.
The civil action was filed in state Supreme Court and seeks unspecified back pay and legal fees. It names Mateczun's company, Stejon Productions Corp., the Bills, and the Jills' former manager, Citadel Communications Co., as defendants. Stejon took over managing the cheerleaders in 2011.
Mateczun is in the process of hiring legal representation, and declined further comment.
The Bills have been made aware of the Jills' decision to suspend operations, but otherwise declined comment.
