The Washington Redskins are in hot water after reports revealed the NFL side had forced their cheerleaders to take part in photo shoots topless.
The New York Times reports the Redskins cheerleaders were allegedly forced to undress on a trip in 2013 to Costa Rica.
Five cheerleaders who went on the trip spoke to the New York Times and said they were told to be topless.
The cheerleaders said director, Stephanie Jojokian, told them to act like personal escorts, which made them feel as if the organisation was "pimping us out".
"They weren't putting a gun to our heads, but it was mandatory for us to go," said one cheerleader.
"We weren't asked, we were told. Other girls were devastated because we knew exactly what she was doing."
A group of all-male sponsors and FedEx suite holders were on the trip and "were granted up-close access to the photo shoots," said another cheerleader.
According to the report nine of the women were ordered to accompany some of the sponsors and suite holders on dates.
"At one of my friend's shoots, we were basically standing around her like a human barricade because she was basically naked, so we could keep the guys from seeing her," said another cheerleader.
"I was getting so angry that the guys on the trip were sleezing around in the background," she told the New York Times.
The NFL team released a statement in response to the allegations saying:
"The Redskins' cheerleader program is one of the NFL's premier teams in participation, participation, professionalism, and community service. Each Redskin cheerleader is contractually protected to ensure a safe and constructive environment. The work our cheerleaders do in our community, visiting our troops abroad, and supporting our team on the field is something the Redskins organisation and our fans take great pride in."
Jojokian told the Times she was "not forcing anyone to go at all" - and that the cheerleaders chose to accompany the men.
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