Dozens of unusual, threatening letters that admonish television networks for what the writer describes as exploitation of cheerleaders has gotten the attention of the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service.  They're offering a reward to find whoever sent them.

The letters accuse networks of exploiting women by the way they cover sports.  In one letter, the writer claims TV cameras will hold tight shots of cheerleaders, but rarely put them on television unless the squads are wearing sweaters or jackets.

"It's not entirely clear what the grievance is," says FBI Special Agent Fred Gutt. "The author has an issue with the way collegiate cheerleaders are portrayed."

"Compare quality of shots, length of shots and number of shots," writes the author in the first batch of letters mailed in 2004 from Portland.  "Pigs park their cameras on us close up, front view, dozens of times each game, yet rarely ever show on TV in this manner."

The writer makes similar claims about coverage of the WNBA and women's tennis.

A second set of letters mailed between 2006 and 2007 from Seattle and Chicago get even more threatening. "For a long time we have warned ESPN the networks and several schools what would happen if this did not change."

Some of the letters included powdery substances, which the FBI discovered was a potentially harmful insecticide.  So far, nobody has been hurt.

The letters were sent to national networks and their affiliates, including KING TV. Individuals in several states, including Washington and Oregon, and people associated with university athletic departments in Ohio, Michigan and Arizona also got the letters.

The FBI contacted the University of Washington's athletic department, but it appears no letter was sent there.

The FBI is hoping someone knows who is sending these letters.  A $5,000 dollar reward is being offered for information leading to the author.

Excerpt of letter sent in September 2004:

"We are fed up with networks exploiting women in sports coverage.  ABC/ESPN exploit collegiate and professional cheer squads in their coverage of football and basketball.  They also screw WNBA players and WTA Tennis players.  Compare coverage of cheer and dance squads based on their outfits they wear.  Compare quality of shots, length of shots and number of shots  Pigs park their cameras on us close up, front view, dozens of times each game, yet rarely ever show on TV in this manner, unless squads are wearing sweaters, jackets, under shirts, etc...  Watch how they always zoom in on WNBA players shooting free throws then leave at the last second as she starts to shoot, disrupting the flow.  Watch on ESPN how they will show women serve, close up, from every angle (side, back) EXCEPT when they zoom in close front, they will leave as she starts to serve, disrupting the flow.  We have asked nicely for them to respect us and all women, yet they refuse.  They exploit innocent people, so we will too.  When they start respecting us, we stop mailing these out."

Excerpt of letter sent in December 2006:

"For the past 6-7 years, ESPN and its nationwide networks have exploited cheer/dance teams all across the country.  They do this by parking their TV cameras on these women for their own personal entertainment, but only give TV time to squads that wear long sleeved shirts, jackets, sweaters, etc.  The squads that don't wear these types of outfits?  They get EXPLOITED.  For a long time we have warned ESPN the networks and several schools what would happen if this did not change.  For the last 6 years, Ohio State cheerleaders have received more TV time than any other Division 1A cheer squad on ESPN, because they wear long sleeved red/white outfits.  If they wore sleeveless outfits, they would not get ANY TV time.  So, we are fed up with this constant exploitation."