The gorgeous cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills, the Jills, will NOT be on the sidelines for the upcoming NFL season.  There will be no cheering on their team, nor public appearances made for a team that has already dealt with enough pain and heartache in the last year.  The Buffalo Jills have suspended operations.

The Buffalo Bills have endured enough agony – more than any team should be forced to swallow.  Losing four consecutive Super Bowls aside, in roughly the last month we have seen the Bills lose their beloved founder/owner, Ralph Wilson, witnessed their Hall of Fame Quarterback in Jim Kelly battle cancer and the team continues to see headlines that rumor relocation of the franchise.  Today, news out of Buffalo is that the Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, are suspending all activities.

Five former Jills have brought a lawsuit upon the team and the company running the cheerleaders.  The Civil suit has the Jills seeking back pay.  As Independent Contractors, the team does not earn a minimum wage.  The squad is not paid to cheer on game days, practices or community events.  The cheerleaders buy their own uniforms and are not reimbursed for travel. James Stass of the Buffalo News states the Jills “were paid amounts ranging from as little as $105 to as much as $1,800 a year” for “approximately 20 hours of unpaid labor per week.”

According to Yahoo, the Buffalo Bills do not manage their Jills.  Since 1986, outside companies have ran the Jills.  Coming off their third straight 6-10 season, the Jills are the only thing worth watching on the field. Forbes lists the franchise’s value at 870 Million. Gate receipts alone were 48 Million in 2013.   How is it that the powers that be can’t pony up at least $8.00 an hour for 35 deserving cheerleaders and take over control of the squad? Calendar sales along should cover their salaries.  Let’s get these beautiful ladies on the field, Bills.  If you’re really going to stay in Buffalo as you claim to want, you’re going to need to give us fans more to watch than another EJ Manuel-led season.

Just in case this situation does not get resolved and you’re sans cheerleaders in Buffalo this season, here are some personal Jills photos for you.  I’ll also include a nice video I found on-line this morning.  Love me the Jills!

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