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Cheerleading is a staple of basketball games, with squads bringing energy and excitement to the sport. Basketball cheerleaders are found at all levels, from middle school to high school, college, and professional games. While collegiate cheerleading squads are typically co-ed, professional cheerleading teams are made up of women only. The most famous professional basketball cheerleading squad is the Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers, who perform dance-oriented routines with some cheer and stunt elements. Cheerleading has evolved into a recognised profession, with the formation of the NBA Cheerleading League, and other professional leagues for sports such as football and baseball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheerleading squads at professional basketball games | Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers, University of Kentucky |
| Collegiate basketball team cheerleaders | Include both men and women |
| Professional basketball team cheerleaders | Only women |
| Cheerleading organizations | American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA), National Federation of State High School Associations, Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) |
| Cheerleading competitions | Cheerleading Worlds, USASF/IASF-sanctioned national competitions, state and regional competitions |
| Number of high school cheerleaders in public high schools | 394,700 |
| Professional cheerleading leagues | NBA Cheerleading League, NFL Cheerleading League, CFL Cheerleading League, MLS Cheerleading League, MLB Cheerleading League, NHL Ice Girls |
| Cheerleading training programs | Sideline Prep |
| Number of Sideline Prep graduates who have made a professional or semi-professional cheer or dance team | 280 out of 390 (over 70%) |
| Number of NFL teams with cheerleaders by 1981 | 17 |
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What You'll Learn
The Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers
Cheerleading has become so recognised that there is now a professional basketball cheerleading league called the NBA Cheerleading League. One of the most famous professional basketball cheerleading squads is the Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Laker Girls are a semi-professional squad, with members holding regular day jobs ranging from professional dancers to waitresses and university professors. They cheer on the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team at home games and perform at many other events and venues. The squad typically performs about 30 routines over the course of the season. They are also local ambassadors for the Lakers organisation and local advocates for female empowerment in the Los Angeles area.
The Laker Girls were commissioned in 1979 by Jerry Buss, who had recently purchased the Lakers. Cheerleaders were not common in the NBA at the time, but Buss, a big fan of college basketball, ordered the formation of the squad—a team of top female dancers who were as talented as they were sexy—as part of his vision for Showtime. "I thought the game itself was fantastic, but the ambiance was really kind of dead. It was quiet and boring, and so I thought what I'd like to do is spice it up with having some dancers," he explained.
The Laker Girls hold auditions in July of every year. Each current member of the squad must also audition to keep her place on the team. Each woman auditioning must come with a resume of her previous jobs. It is required that each prospective candidate comes prepared with her own routine and is taught two routines to perform for the current Laker Girls as well as some judges. Dance skills are the main criterion on which they are judged, but personality, style, and teamwork are also important.
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Collegiate vs. professional cheerleading squads
Cheerleading is a predominantly American activity, with participants (called cheerleaders) cheering for their team as a form of encouragement. It can range from chanting slogans to intense physical activity. Cheerleading is closely associated with American football and basketball.
There are over 250 colleges offering cheerleading programs across the US, with opportunities available at the NCAA Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 levels, as well as NAIA and junior colleges. The biggest difference among programs is whether they are competitive or not. Competitive cheerleading squads participate in the Universal Cheerleader Association or National Cheerleaders Association competitions, whereas non-competitive squads cheer at football and basketball games and may be labelled as spirit squads.
Collegiate cheerleading squads are capable of performing advanced maneuvers like 2½ level pyramids and complicated basket tosses to motivate the crowd. They also incorporate complicated dance and tumbling routines during stoppages in play. These co-ed squads are dedicated and practice as often as the basketball teams they cheer for. Some of the best collegiate squads in the nation belong to the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and the University of Central Florida.
Professional cheerleading squads, on the other hand, focus more on the dance element. The most popular professional basketball cheerleading squad is the Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers. They cheer the team on from the sidelines and entertain the crowd during breaks in the action with dance-oriented routines.
In conclusion, collegiate cheerleading squads focus on advanced stunts and pyramids, whereas professional cheerleading squads focus more on dance routines. Collegiate squads also have to balance their studies and athletic commitments, whereas professional squads can dedicate more time to practice and performances.
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The road to becoming an NBA cheerleader
Cheerleading is a well-recognised part of basketball, with squads from high schools, colleges, and professional teams all taking part. The Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most famous professional basketball cheerleading squads, entertaining the crowd during breaks in the action as well as cheering on the team from the sidelines.
If you want to become an NBA cheerleader, there are a few steps you should take. Firstly, it is important to note that you must be at least 18 years old by the start of the NBA season to be eligible. You should also be proficient in multiple dance types, with a focus on jazz and hip-hop, as these are the most common styles performed in NBA cheerleading routines. Many dancers who audition for NBA teams have been training in various dance styles for most of their lives, but this is not a requirement, and there are NBA dancers who started dancing later in life.
The next step is to research the NBA dance teams you are interested in. Each team holds open dance auditions every season, usually during the summer months. Hundreds of dancers attend these auditions, and there are usually only around 18 spots available on each team. The audition process can last one to two weeks and may vary depending on the season and the team.
It is important to remember that everyone's journey to becoming an NBA dancer is unique. Some dancers audition multiple times, while others are successful on their first attempt. Don't be discouraged by others' journeys—focus on your own path and keep working towards your goal.
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Cheerleading as a profession
Cheerleading is a profession that has become an integral part of basketball games, with their energetic performances and technical dance routines that entertain and engage the crowd. While cheerleading squads are commonly associated with schools and colleges, there has been a rise in professional cheerleading leagues for various sports, including basketball.
Professional cheerleading squads, such as the famous Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers, perform at games and during breaks to entertain the crowd and support the team. These squads are composed of highly skilled dancers who undergo rigorous training and maintain an active lifestyle to perform complex routines. The road to becoming a professional cheerleader is challenging, requiring a combination of technical dance skills, physical fitness, and showmanship.
Professional cheerleading leagues, such as the NBA Cheerleading League, have specific criteria for selecting their teams. Candidates are evaluated based on their dance abilities, physical fitness, and overall appearance. They also consider communication and interpersonal skills, as cheerleaders often interact with fans and attend various team events. The competition for spots on these teams is intense, with hundreds of women auditioning for each role.
While cheerleading brings excitement to basketball games, the profession has faced criticism for inadequate compensation. Despite the high level of skill and dedication required, many cheerleaders in the NBA are not adequately compensated for their contributions. This has led to discussions about the value and recognition of cheerleaders within the basketball industry.
In conclusion, cheerleading as a profession in basketball has evolved to become an essential component of the sport's entertainment value. Professional cheerleaders dedicate themselves to perfecting their craft, undergoing rigorous training and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to perform at the highest level. While the profession faces challenges in terms of compensation, the impact of cheerleaders on the overall basketball experience cannot be overstated.
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Cheerleading squads for other sports
Cheerleading is a well-known part of American sports culture, and it is not limited to basketball. Cheerleading squads are also prevalent in American football, with 25 out of 32 National Football League (NFL) teams having cheerleading squads performing on the sidelines during games. The Baltimore Colts were the first NFL team to introduce cheerleaders in 1954, and since then, it has become a fixture of the sport, with squads cheering at games, performing at events, and even marketing their teams through photoshoots and charity events.
NFL cheerleading has faced criticism for being sexist, and in the 2010s, there was a push to include male cheerleaders to offset these concerns. The Panthers TopCats and the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders were among the first to include men on their squads in 2021, and in 2025, the Vikings introduced two male cheerleaders, causing a backlash on social media. Despite the controversy, male cheerleaders have become an increasingly common sight in NFL squads, and they are often involved in stunts.
Cheerleading is also a fixture at the collegiate level for various sports, including football and basketball. Over 250 colleges offer cheerleading programs, with opportunities across NCAA Divisions 1, 2, and 3. These squads often perform at games and compete in cheerleading competitions like the UCA College Nationals or NCA College Nationals. Collegiate cheerleading squads tend to be larger co-ed teams, but all-girl squads have also been gaining popularity.
At the youth level, organizations like Pop Warner, American Youth Football, and the YMCA sponsor both youth league football and basketball teams, and their cheerleading squads perform at these games. These squads also compete at local and regional competitions, and organizations like Pop Warner host national championships. Cheerleading is an integral part of the game-day experience for many American sports, providing entertainment and enhancing the atmosphere for fans.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are professional basketball cheerleaders. Cheerleading squads can be found at middle schools, high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams.
Some of the most famous professional basketball cheerleading squads include the Laker Girls of the Los Angeles Lakers, the University of Kentucky cheerleading squad, and the University of Louisville cheerleading squad.
The requirements to become a professional basketball cheerleader vary by team, but generally include a high level of physical fitness and stamina, excellent speaking and interview skills, and strong dance or technical abilities.
The compensation for professional basketball cheerleaders varies depending on the team and the event. While cheerleaders are expected to be present for all special events, including international appearances and charity functions, teams with bigger budgets may pay their cheerleaders more.
