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♪ >> FIRST IT WAS THE ENERGY DANCER THEN FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS THE BUCKS DANCERS. NOW THE BUCKS DANCE TEAM WILL BE CO-ED, KNOWN AS THE 414 CREW. ♪ >> IN A FACEBOOK POST, THE BUCKS DANCERS THANKED FANS FOR THEIR SUPPORT, SAYING THEY WERE PROUD OF THEIR HISTORY AND EXCITED FOR THE TRANSITION. BUT FORMER BUCKS DANCERS TELL ME THEY DON’T BELIEVE IT >> I SAW A COUPLE DANCERS COMMENTING ON THE POST AND FEELING LIKE THEY WERE REALLY BETRAYED AND LET DOWN. >> LAUREN HERINGTON SUED T MILWAUKEE BUCKS IN 2015, DEMANDING BACK PAY FOR HERSELF, CURRENT AND FORMER BUCKS DANCERS. SHE CLAIMED THEY BARELY MADE MINIMUM WAGE. >> IT WAS EXHAUSTING. I WORKED THREE PART-TIME JOBS, WENT TO SCHOOL FULL TIME AND DANCED FULL TIME. >> JUST LAST YEAR THE BUCKS DEBUTED A LESS RISQUÉ OUTFIT FOR THE DANCERS. NOW THE TEAM IS COMPLETELY REVAMPING THEIR LOOK BY ADDING MEN. ADVOCATES SAY THE LAST MINUTE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL CUT DOWN THE NUMBER OF SPOTS AVAILABLE TO WOMEN DANCERS AND MAY HURT THEIR CHANCES OF GETTING ON ANOTHER TEAM. >> IT IS SO HYPOCRITICAL TO USE THE WORD INCLUSIVE WHEN YOU EXCLUDE THE WOMEN THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY YOUR DECISION SO I WOULD SAY SHAME ON YOU FRANKLY. >> IT’S KIND OF LIKE THEY TOOK THE EASY WAY OUT AND WANTED TO ELIMINATE THAT POSSIBILITY AND MAKE IT A GENDER NEUTRAL TEAM SO THEY SURPASSED HAVING THOSE ISSUES STILL IN THE FUTURE >> WE SHOULD KNOW THAT THE ONE WOMAN LAURA HARRINGTON HAS SETTLED HER CASE. >> I ASK WHY THEY DECIDED TO CHANGE IT UP THIS YEAR. THEY SENT ME A STATEMENT SAYING THEY ARE EXCITED TO BROADEN

Advertisement Bucks Dancers replaced by co-ed break dancing, tumbling team The Milwaukee Bucks announced Tuesday they are replacing their Bucks Dancers with a co-ed team called the 414 Crew. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Milwaukee Bucks announced Tuesday they are replacing their Bucks Dancers with a co-ed team called the 414 Crew. "We’re excited for our game-night entertainment to continue to evolve by broadening our reach and ensuring an inclusive environment," said Johnny Watson, Bucks executive producer of Arena & Event Presentation. "The 414 Crew will feature a diverse group of performers with skill sets that will focus on engaging and energizing the NBA's most passionate fan base at Bucks games and in the community."However, some former dancers told WISN 12 News this new team will only hurt the current Bucks Dancers. "I saw a couple dancers commenting on the (Milwaukee Bucks Dancers' Facebook) post and saying they felt betrayed and felt let down," said Lauren Herington, a former Bucks Dancer who performed in the 2013-2014 season. Herington sued the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015, demanding back pay for herself, current and former Bucks Dancers. Herington said they made less than minimum wage. "They never wanted to take responsibility for how they treated us. They never wanted to take responsibility for how they paid us. I just think it's kind of ironic that we settled this lawsuit to have fair treatment for men and women, for more equality with the team, treating the women better, treating them as the ambassadors they want us to be," Herington said. "It's kind of like they took the easy way out and wanted to eliminate that possibility and make it a gender neutral team so they surpassed having those issues still in the future."WISN 12 News obtained an email sent to former and current Bucks dancers that said the new team will include dancing, break dancing, tumbling, tricking and other unique talents. Advocates said the last minute decision to add men to the team, who may physically be able to perform more complex acrobatics, excludes women who cannot. It also gives those women who might not make the team little to no time to find an open dance position somewhere else. "It's just so hypocritical to use the word inclusive when you exclude the women that have been impacted by your decision," said Mhkeeba Pate, host of the Pro Cheerleading Podcast and former NFL cheerleader. "I would say shame on you (Bucks) frankly. This could have been handled in a more tactful and respectful manner."WISN 12 News reached out to the Bucks for further comment. They only sent the above, original statement.