Washington NFL Cheerleader Treatment Questioned

Redskins president Bruce Allen said Thursday the team is "looking into" troubling allegations former cheerleaders made to The New York Times about the treatment of cheerleaders at a 2013 calendar photo shoot in Costa Rica.

In a statement, Allen said the team had spoken with a number of Redskins cheerleaders who provided accounts that directly contradict details in the Times' story, which cited five cheerleaders at the photo shoot who did not disclose their names because they had signed non-disclosure agreements.

"The Redskins organization is very concerned by the allegations involving our cheerleaders in the recent New York Times article," Allen said. "We are immediately looking into this situation and want to express how serious we take these allegations. Based on the dialogue we've had with a number of current and former cheerleaders over the past 48 hours, we've heard very different first-hand accounts that directly contradict many of the details of the May 2 article. I can promise that once we have completed looking into this matter, if it is revealed that any of our employees acted inappropriately, those employees will face significant repercussions."

Allen continued: "Our entire organization has great appreciation and respect for our cheerleaders. ... We will continue to take all necessary measures to create a safe and respectful work environment."

The Redskins came under fire Wednesday after the Times' story revealed disturbing allegations about the way franchise officials have treated the cheerleaders, with former cheerleaders saying the team made them vulnerable for the benefit of sponsors and big-spending ticket holders.

The Times cited five former Redskins cheerleaders who described a 2013 photo shoot for a team calendar in Costa Rica. At the shoot, according to the report, male sponsors and suite holders observed cheerleaders posing topless or in body paint. After a 14-hour day of photos and dance practice, nine cheerleaders were chosen to serve as personal escorts for the sponsors and suite holders at a nightclub. The arrangement did not include sex.

Also present at the nightclub, according to the report, were two prominent Redskins officials: senior vice president for operations Lon Rosenberg, who has since parted ways with the team, and president of business operations Dennis Greene.

Reached Thursday morning, Rosenberg declined to comment.

Through an email, Greene deferred comment to the team's public relations staff.

Stephanie Jojokian, the director of the Redskins' cheerleaders, denied she forced any cheerleaders to attend the nightclub and contested the description the five cheerleaders provided.

The report also detailed a 2012 mandatory "team-bonding" party on the yacht of businessman and former suite holder William R. Teel Jr. According to five cheerleaders the Times cited, other men were on the boat when the cheerleaders boarded, and they were given copious alcohol and encouraged to participate in suggestive dance contests.

Teel told the Times that he believed no one from the Redskins pressured cheerleaders to attend the party and "no one was disrespected."

In a statement Thursday afternoon, the NFL did not directly address the allegations against the Redskins or the Times story.

"The NFL and all NFL member clubs support fair employment practices," a spokesman said in an email. "Everyone who works in the NFL, including cheerleaders, has the right to work in a positive and respectful environment that is free from any and all forms of harassment and discrimination and fully complies with state and federal laws."

Four current Redskins cheerleaders, who spoke to The Post with team approval, described a different experience . They said they enjoy the camaraderie the team provides, believe the team protects their safety and do not feel pressured to attend events they do not wish to.

They said the only events they attended were ones for which they volunteered. One described recent negative attention on attitudes toward cheerleaders as "frustrating," and another called it "bizarre."

The Washington Post

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