Is cheerleading a real sport?

Is cheerleading a real sport , this is a topic that has been debated serval times. Me personal I was a cheerleader and I know how much it takes to keep in condition and how they have to stay fit. My brother being the jock he was in high school seems to believe cheerleading is not a sport because cheerleaders do not seem to have a way were they can just decrease the value of the other persons points. I happen to diagree with him because that is why we have sabotage cheerleaders have to one another get ahead of the game. What would the lakers be with out the lakers girl, what would the clippers be with out the clipper girls and also the the men of Troy they would all be poising teams. Cheerleaders are the people who get the crowad and the team to stay and cheer.