Even Nuggets cheerleaders feel economic squeeze

By Chris Tomasson

How bad has the economy gotten?

Cheerleaders are getting benched.

Kroenke Sports Enterprises last week announced layoffs. Also affected has been the Denver Nuggets Cheerleading team, whose performances have been scaled back from all home games to only weekend games.

The cheerleading team is not to be confused with the Denver Nuggets Dancers, an all-female group that continues to perform at all games. The cheerleaders, made up of 36 men and women, provide college-type cheers during breaks in the action.

One cheerleader said the first game at which the group did not perform was March 9 against Houston, meaning three games already have been missed. If the cheerleaders don’t perform at any more weekday regular-season home games, seven would end up being missed.

“I can’t quite speak about it as much as I would like to, but it’s one of the things that we’re glad to still be part of the organization,’’ said cheerleading coach Stephanie John, who said her team will perform at all Nuggets postseason home games. “I can tell you that the Denver Nuggets cheerleaders have been proud to be a part of game entertainment for the last five years. And now we are happy that we still get to interact with the fans, and we’re excited to be part of the playoff games.’’

So how money would be saved by benching the cheerleaders for seven games this season? It would seem to be less than $17,000.

John said she’s not allowed to say how much cheerleaders make per game. But one said he’s paid less than $100 a game.

One cheerleader said the 36 members are broken into three groups, with two groups performing at games. So that would mean 24 cheerleaders at a game.

If cheerleaders are paid $75 per game, that would mean a total savings of $12,600 for seven missed games. If the pay is $50, that would be a savings of $8,400.

For more information on the team, go to http://www.nba.com/nuggets/dance/cheer_team_index.html

Hunter close: Nuggets center Steven Hunter, who hasn’t played yet this season due to right knee surgery, said he’s close to being fully healthy, and remains hopeful he’ll be back this season. Hunter said he expects to return to practice in one to two weeks.

Even if Hunter returns, it remains to be seen if he would be active for playoff games. With the Nuggets having 14 on the roster and having picked up center Johan Petro in January for insurance, Hunter and rookie swingman Sonny Weems could be the two inactive players, barring injuries.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com