The National Football League is now asking its potential 2015 Superbowl halftime performers, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Coldplay, to pay for the privilege to play the gig.
According to The Wall Street Journal, after the NFL notified the three acts they were being considered for the February performance, the league representatives also asked, in the same notification, for the acts to donate a portion of their proceeds from the exposure to the league, or make some “financial contribution” in exchange for the spot.
While the league hasn’t typically paid performers in the past, they usually benefit from the exposure, as it is one of the most-watched annual sporting events and more people watch the show than the actual game, and many often announce tours immediately after the performance. In 2014, 115 million viewers tuned in for the performance, while only about 112 million watched the Seattle Seahawks defeat the Denver Broncos. The donation would also covers travel and production costs that come with the performance.
Many did not take the news well.
I will pay the NFL $50 to be the halftime act. It will be a roller derby demo, but we will sing old Metallica songs and invite Flea to play.
— Jane McManus (@janesports) August 19, 2014
Kickstarter campaign to pay the NFL so Shane MacGowan plays the Super Bowl Halftime show. pic.twitter.com/d8omIafdwD
— Shane Tobin (@shanetobin) August 19, 2014
The NFL’s actual Super Bowl halftime plans make proposing @alyankovic look even more prophetic http://t.co/GpVL4og3yNpic.twitter.com/FELE0B2rl1
— Wondering Sound (@wonderingsound) August 19, 2014
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