Activities of the Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders have been suspended after a move by five former members to sue the National Football League (NFL) team.

The ex-cheerleaders sued over low pay, groping and sexual comments, with one saying they had to take a “jiggle test” so their bosses could tell how firm their bodies were, The Buffalo News reported.

The head of the group that manages the Buffalo Jills, as they are called, said she can’t comment on the suit which affects 35 women who were recently chosen for the team.

“I would like nothing more than to state our side of the story,” Bills’ cheerleader manager Stephanie Mateczun said. “But it would be inappropriate to do so while in litigation.”

The suit alleges the team failed to pay the former cheerleaders the $US8 ($A8.65) minimum wage and exposed them to degrading treatment at some community events like the Jills swimsuit calendar release party. They also allege they had to use their own money to pay for their $US650 ($A702) uniforms.

Sean Cooney, a lawyer representing the cheerleaders, said they were disappointed the club decided to suspend operations.

“Like the decision not to pay a lawful wage, this decision was made not by the cheerleaders, but the Jills’ management,” said Cooney.

The first Bills’ home game of the 2014 season is slated for September 14.