What could possibly be worse for die-hard fans than bandwagon fans arriving when your team does well? How about fans that are paid to cheer for your team? That's right: in honorable tradition of the Hessians who fought in the Revolutionary War, there are now mercenary sports fans.
As Conde Nast Portfolio notes, Cameron Hughes is paid handsomely by team owners to don a jersey and whip up support for the team.
Baseball teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers pay him an average of $2,000 a game to do his thing, as do N.B.A. teams like the L.A. Lakers and New Orleans Hornets and N.H.L. teams like the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. All told, he works about 80 to 90 major- and minor-league games a year, and difficult as it may be to believe, Hughes makes a comfortable six-figure salary just by being a crazy sports fan.
"I basically just play myself," says the 36-year-old Ottawa native. "It's just amazing when you put on a team jersey that people are loyal to, how much they'll cheer you and how much they'll support you."
"Yeah, I just play myself — you know, a high-priced cheering whore." Actually, that's not fair. Say what you will about hookers, at least they have principles.
(thanks to Mike for the tip; Cameron Hughes website)
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Yes but did he ever work for the Isotopes?
Let's not beat around the bush. He's a cheerleader. All he needs is a skirt.
I bet he would have discovered that bold Albuquerque flavor much sooner.
Im still waiting for my check Washngton Bullets.
I fail to see the problem. In my life I've probably paid various women almost $50K to cheer for my cock.
$2,000 x 90 > sports blogger's salary
Yes!
Local talent
Big deal. I get paid to read With Leather every day.
Ok, so maybe I get paid to do some "job", but the end result is the same.
I wouldn't have any problem with doing this, with only a few non-negotiable conditions:
1. I would never cheer for teams I hated (i.e. Duke)
2. I would never cheer against teams I like (i.e. Orioles)
3. No kissing on the mouth.
Cue the music to "Baby Elephant Walk".
+1 Zack
What's up with the pic? I thought I recognized the logo on the shirts and was confirmed when I saw one of the shirts says Bakersfield Condors on it. Didn't expect to see that today.
Eh, I remember when this guy's name was Will Farrell.
This guy did a great job of inventing a, uh, great job. "Yes, i'd like to work 80 nights a year, 4 hours per night max, and be drunk the whole time. Six figure salary please!"
Shit, a lot of dudes would do this for the shirts. @Zack, Wild Bill Hagy did this for years and the Orioles didn't pay him dick.
PS I wonder if homeboy ever yells out the wrong name? I have that problem. To wit, my wife keeps calling me Kobe.
There is a guy in the NBA like this. He has a moustache and sometimes wears a hard-hat. He always carries some lame ass sign like "Tonight is Magic!". I recall seeing him in the Magic Finals, as well as the Pacers Finals. And I know I have seen him more recently…perhaps for the Nets or Spurs.
It's not worth it:
"Ten years later, he has performed at over 550 live events at stadiums and arenas across North America for teams in 22 different leagues (NHL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, CFL, AAA, AHL, OHL, ECHL)."
He has a moustache and sometimes wears a hard-hat. He always carries some lame ass sign like "Tonight is Magic!"…And I know I have seen him more recently…perhaps for the Nets or Spurs.
Or perhaps forming the shape of a 'Y' along with a couple of other friends. Maybe one dressed as an Indian Chief, perhaps forming an 'M'. Maybe another, dressed as a cowboy forming a 'C'. And maybe a fourth friend, perhaps and African American gentleman dressed as a cop, has tagged along. And he cheers just as loud and forms the shape of an 'A'.
Or perhaps you were at the End Up in Man Francisco. Who knows.
well if i add it all up it seems the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Manchester United owe me about 17 million dollars.
if ilitch and glazer dont pay up soon im going to start breaking some fucking kneecaps and this kitten is going to get it!
Pipe-hitters in the stands? Say it ain't so.
The Sens and Leafs use him? You don't say!
ACC – Full of suits (cept Raps games)
Corel Centre – Full of Douches
Either way, a couple of places you don't find alot of real fans, a la Bell Centre.
sorry – Scotia Bank place (in case a Sens fan gets his panties in a knot)
Don't the really hot women cheerleaders only make something like $50 a game? This is horrible.