July 24, 2019 at 07:06PM
The Milwaukee Bucks announced Tuesday they are replacing their Bucks Dancers with a co-ed team called the 414 Crew. "We're excited for our game-night entertainment to continue to evolve by broadening our reach and ensuring an inclusive environment," said Johnny Watson, Bucks executive producer of Arena & Event Presentation. "The 414 Crew will feature a diverse group of performers with skill sets that will focus on engaging and energizing the NBA's most passionate fan base at Bucks games and in the community."However, some former dancers told WISN 12 News this new team will only hurt the current Bucks Dancers. "I saw a couple dancers commenting on the post and saying they felt betrayed and felt let down," said Lauren Herington, a former Bucks Dancer who performed in the 2013-2014 season. Herington sued the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015, demanding back pay for herself, current and former Bucks Dancers. Herington said they made less than minimum wage. "They never wanted to take responsibility for how they treated us. They never wanted to take responsibility for how they paid us. I just think it's kind of ironic that we settled this lawsuit to have fair treatment for men and women, for more equality with the team, treating the women better, treating them as the ambassadors they want us to be," Herington said "It's kind of like they took the easy way out and wanted to eliminate that possibility and make it a gender neutral team so they surpassed having those issues still in the future."WISN 12 News obtained an email sent to former and current Bucks dancers that said the new team will include dancing, break dancing, tumbling, tricking and other unique talents. Advocates said the last minute decision to add men to the team, who may physically be able to perform more complex acrobatics, excludes women who cannot. It also gives those women who might not make the team little to no time to find an open dance position somewhere else. "It's just so hypocritical to use the word inclusive when you exclude the women that have been impacted by your decision," said Mhkeeba Pate, host of the Pro Cheerleading Podcast and former NFL cheerleader. "I would say shame on you frankly. This could have been handled in a more tactful and respectful manner."WISN 12 News reached out to the Bucks for further comment. They only sent the above, original statement.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced Tuesday they are replacing their Bucks Dancers with a co-ed team called the 414 Crew.
"We're excited for our game-night entertainment to continue to evolve by broadening our reach and ensuring an inclusive environment," said Johnny Watson, Bucks executive producer of Arena & Event Presentation. "The 414 Crew will feature a diverse group of performers with skill sets that will focus on engaging and energizing the NBA's most passionate fan base at Bucks games and in the community."
However, some former dancers told WISN 12 News this new team will only hurt the current Bucks Dancers.
"I saw a couple dancers commenting on the [Milwaukee Bucks Dancers' Facebook] post and saying they felt betrayed and felt let down," said Lauren Herington, a former Bucks Dancer who performed in the 2013-2014 season.
Herington sued the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015, demanding back pay for herself, current and former Bucks Dancers. Herington said they made less than minimum wage.
"They never wanted to take responsibility for how they treated us. They never wanted to take responsibility for how they paid us. I just think it's kind of ironic that we settled this lawsuit to have fair treatment for men and women, for more equality with the team, treating the women better, treating them as the ambassadors they want us to be," Herington said "It's kind of like they took the easy way out and wanted to eliminate that possibility and make it a gender neutral team so they surpassed having those issues still in the future."
WISN 12 News obtained an email sent to former and current Bucks dancers that said the new team will include dancing, break dancing, tumbling, tricking and other unique talents.
Advocates said the last minute decision to add men to the team, who may physically be able to perform more complex acrobatics, excludes women who cannot. It also gives those women who might not make the team little to no time to find an open dance position somewhere else.
"It's just so hypocritical to use the word inclusive when you exclude the women that have been impacted by your decision," said Mhkeeba Pate, host of the Pro Cheerleading Podcast and former NFL cheerleader. "I would say shame on you [Bucks] frankly. This could have been handled in a more tactful and respectful manner."
WISN 12 News reached out to the Bucks for further comment. They only sent the above, original statement.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced Tuesday they are replacing their Bucks Dancers with a co-ed team called the 414 Crew. "We're excited for our game-night entertainment to continue to evolve by broadening our reach and ensuring an inclusive environment," said Johnny Watson, Bucks executive producer of Arena & Event Presentation. "The 414 Crew will feature a diverse group of performers with skill sets that will focus on engaging and energizing the NBA's most passionate fan base at Bucks games and in the community."However, some former dancers told WISN 12 News this new team will only hurt the current Bucks Dancers. "I saw a couple dancers commenting on the post and saying they felt betrayed and felt let down," said Lauren Herington, a former Bucks Dancer who performed in the 2013-2014 season. Herington sued the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015, demanding back pay for herself, current and former Bucks Dancers. Herington said they made less than minimum wage. "They never wanted to take responsibility for how they treated us. They never wanted to take responsibility for how they paid us. I just think it's kind of ironic that we settled this lawsuit to have fair treatment for men and women, for more equality with the team, treating the women better, treating them as the ambassadors they want us to be," Herington said "It's kind of like they took the easy way out and wanted to eliminate that possibility and make it a gender neutral team so they surpassed having those issues still in the future."WISN 12 News obtained an email sent to former and current Bucks dancers that said the new team will include dancing, break dancing, tumbling, tricking and other unique talents. Advocates said the last minute decision to add men to the team, who may physically be able to perform more complex acrobatics, excludes women who cannot. It also gives those women who might not make the team little to no time to find an open dance position somewhere else. "It's just so hypocritical to use the word inclusive when you exclude the women that have been impacted by your decision," said Mhkeeba Pate, host of the Pro Cheerleading Podcast and former NFL cheerleader. "I would say shame on you frankly. This could have been handled in a more tactful and respectful manner."WISN 12 News reached out to the Bucks for further comment. They only sent the above, original statement.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced Tuesday they are replacing their Bucks Dancers with a co-ed team called the 414 Crew.
"We're excited for our game-night entertainment to continue to evolve by broadening our reach and ensuring an inclusive environment," said Johnny Watson, Bucks executive producer of Arena & Event Presentation. "The 414 Crew will feature a diverse group of performers with skill sets that will focus on engaging and energizing the NBA's most passionate fan base at Bucks games and in the community."
However, some former dancers told WISN 12 News this new team will only hurt the current Bucks Dancers.
"I saw a couple dancers commenting on the [Milwaukee Bucks Dancers' Facebook] post and saying they felt betrayed and felt let down," said Lauren Herington, a former Bucks Dancer who performed in the 2013-2014 season.
Herington sued the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015, demanding back pay for herself, current and former Bucks Dancers. Herington said they made less than minimum wage.
"They never wanted to take responsibility for how they treated us. They never wanted to take responsibility for how they paid us. I just think it's kind of ironic that we settled this lawsuit to have fair treatment for men and women, for more equality with the team, treating the women better, treating them as the ambassadors they want us to be," Herington said "It's kind of like they took the easy way out and wanted to eliminate that possibility and make it a gender neutral team so they surpassed having those issues still in the future."
WISN 12 News obtained an email sent to former and current Bucks dancers that said the new team will include dancing, break dancing, tumbling, tricking and other unique talents.
Advocates said the last minute decision to add men to the team, who may physically be able to perform more complex acrobatics, excludes women who cannot. It also gives those women who might not make the team little to no time to find an open dance position somewhere else.
"It's just so hypocritical to use the word inclusive when you exclude the women that have been impacted by your decision," said Mhkeeba Pate, host of the Pro Cheerleading Podcast and former NFL cheerleader. "I would say shame on you [Bucks] frankly. This could have been handled in a more tactful and respectful manner."
WISN 12 News reached out to the Bucks for further comment. They only sent the above, original statement.