BUFFALO, N.Y. - A New York judge has refused the Buffalo Bills' request to dismiss a lawsuit brought by five former cheerleaders about pay and working conditions.
Supreme Court Justice Timothy Drury's decision Tuesday clears the way for the suit to move forward.
The cheerleaders claim they were paid less than minimum wage and often worked for free at public appearances where they were subject to groping and sexual comments.
The Bills argued they shouldn't be included in the lawsuit because the team contracted with outside companies to operate the cheerleading squad.
But the judge ruled there's a question about how much control the Bills had.
The outside companies, Citadel Broadcasting and Stejon Productions, are also named in the suit. Citadel's dismissal request, on grounds cheerleaders are independent contractors, was also denied.