NFL wants artists to pay to play the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Being selected to play the Super Bowl Halftime Show is a huge deal -- there's no doubt about that. But this year, the NFL is asking potential acts for the 2015 installment to fork over a share of their post-game tour profits. According to The Wall Street Journal, the league is asking its top three candidates to pay to get the gig. The short list of acts has already been whittled down to Rhianna, Katy Perry and Coldplay, with the NFL seeking to agree on a direct contribution or another form of financial kickback while it makes its final decision. As you might expect, WSJ's sources say the request was met with a "chilly reception" across the board.
Artists who play the Halftime Show aren't paid, but they do usually get travel and production costs covered, which can get pretty steep. There's also no easy way to calculate how much of an act's tour revenue is boosted by the nationally-televised performance. However, last year's Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bruno Mars tandem nabbed 115.3 million viewers -- more than Seattle's drubbing of Peyton Manning & Co. averaged. Of course, we're sure the top three would be willing to cut in Mr. Goodell if a small percentage of the ad revenue were also on the table.
[Photo credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images]
