CORSICANA, TX — Navarro College cheerleaders are forced to make a choice- continue their series with Netflix or not compete in NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer competitions.
An exclusivity policy included in the Competition Rule Book for College Teams for the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship states that teams that participate in a televised program or print media could have their eligibility jeopardized. According to Varsity, the rule has been in place since 2017.
The exclusivity policy says:
Due to media, sponsorship considerations, and administration concerns regarding school-based priorities, image and funding, teams that compete in the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship may not participate in any other event at which a “College National Champion” title is awarded during the current school year.
Further, teams may jeopardize their eligibility to compete in the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship if they participate in a televised program or print media that portrays their team, school or general activity of collegiate cheer and/or dance in a negative manner. NCA & NDA must deem the program or material content reasonable and appropriate regarding performance integrity, safety, individual and school privacy and reputation, and overall image. Schools that desire to compete at Nationals and participate in such media (reality show or documentary, news articles, books, etc.) should consult their school legal council to develop an access license and consult with NCA & NDA in advance to pre-determine any possible conflicts of interest. The access license is a legal agreement that prohibits producers or publishers from including certain subject matters from being included in their media product, as well as grants the school officials the right to approve and/or reject final portrayal of their respective spirit squads that might be harmful or disrespectful to the school or spirit program.
The series, "Cheer", was a hit for Netflix, with many people on social media talking about how they relate to the series - including celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and JJ Watt.
At the end of #Cheer, when La’Darius’s brother started crying , and Morgan’s grandparents figured out how to stream the competition and Lexi nailed her tumbling pass , and Jerry nailed all his stunts, I cried big baby tears. 😢Great show @netflix ! 💯⭐️
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) January 21, 2020
"Cheer" is being called the "Last Chance U" of cheerleading. The series follows the competitive cheerleaders from the college, and their leader, Monica Aldama.
Many are begging for a season 2 - but with this new rule change, it's unclear what the future for the series holds.
Full rule book:
