US: Cheerleader’s conspiracy lawsuit against NFL tossed out of court

A lawsuit accusing the NFL and team owners of conspiring to suppress wages for cheerleaders lacks evidence to support that claim, a federal judge said.

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

“To state an antitrust claim here, plaintiff must plead not only ‘ultimate facts, such as conspiracy, and legal conclusions,’” Alsup said in his filing late Thursday night. “The complaint must answer the basic questions of ‘who, did what, to whom (or with whom), where, and when?’”

Alsup gave the former 49ers cheerleader — identified in the lawsuit only as “Kelsey K.” — an opportunity to amend her lawsuit and refile it by June 15.

Her attorney, Drexel Bradshaw, said he plans to do that, saying he has uncovered “significant facts” that he thinks will lead the judge to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

“We’re undaunted,” he said.

The lawsuit was among a spate of legal actions in recent years accusing NFL teams of failing to pay cheerleaders for hours they spent practicing and making public appearances.

Full Content: Courthouse News

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