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Report: NFL declines comment on cheerleader lawsuits

The NFL would not comment on lawsuits involving current and former cheerleaders, including one filed by some former members of the Buffalo Jills. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The NFL would not comment on lawsuits involving current and former cheerleaders, including one filed by some former members of the Buffalo Jills. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The National Football League declined to comment when asked about three separate lawsuits filed against teams by current and former cheerleaders.

“We do not have a comment on these team litigation issues,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy told Pro Football Talk on Thursday. “We are following developments.”

The Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and, most recently, the Buffalo Bills have all been sued for alleged wage violations. On Thursday, the company that manages the Buffalo Jills cheerleading squad announced it was suspending operations through at least the end of the season, two days after five former members filed a lawsuit claiming they worked hundreds of hours for no pay.

''If they cease operations, they will blame the lawsuit for the destruction of the Jills, when that was not intended at all,'' said Frank Dolce, the lawyer who is representing the five cheerleaders.

''We love the Bills. We love the Jills,'' he said. ''We do not love the travesty of its management that has occurred over the last few years.''