Cheerleader accused of hitting a woman in a bar says it was a different woman

10:25 PM EST on Friday, December 2, 2005

By Ann Sheridan / 6NEWS

6NEWS

The Panthers have dismissed the two cheerleaders who were arrested Sunday. Now, an adult magazine is making them an offer.

Panther's officials said the two women accused of fighting at a Tampa Bay bar have been dismissed from the squad. The Panthers are able to fire the two women without a legal conviction because they said their actions violate team conduct policies.

Now they're not just off the squad, an adult magazine has an offer for them.

Penthouse magazine is making an offer to the former cheerleaders. The P.R. woman for the magazine confirmed it Monday night.

The nationally known men’s magazine wants to cash in on what allegedly went on inside the bars bathroom stall. The former Panther cheerleaders are accused of having sex with each other and starting a fight.

The Panthers organization isn't saying much, but their website is down. Millions of hits from fans are trying to learn more about the cheerleader scandal.

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Witnesses said the bar was busy and there was a line to use the women’s restroom. Police said Renee Thomas and another Panther cheerleader, Angela Keathley, were having sex in the stall. When they came out, the women who were waiting to use the bathroom let them have it.

“She was screaming I am a Panther cheerleader. I’m not going to get arrested for this. And, I was like, that’s good for you but you are going to jail,” the alleged victim Melissa Holden said.

Now the women are out of jail and being courted by Penthouse magazine.

The magazine’s rep said Penthouse plans to have an offer in writing Tuesday.

But so far, there has been no offer of apology.

Another third Panther cheerleader is also caught up in the scandal. Police said one of the women in the fight was carrying another cheerleader’s ID. The Panthers have dismissed the two cheerleaders in the fight, and that third cheerleader is suspended.