Taylor Swift Says No
Did you know the NFL does not pay the halftime show performers?
That’s one of those facts everybody learns at some point and files away under “ridiculous nonsense” and doesn’t think too hard about it. But it’s true. Beyonce? Kendrick? Rihanna? All of those 90’s rappers from the Millenial Core halftime several seasons ago? Not paid. At the highest levels of both sport and stardom, they still use the “for exposure” bullshit that artists have to deal with at every level of their career.
Obviously, none of these celebrities would take the deal if they got nothing out of it, and the NFL is paying for stuff, just not directly paying the artist. The NFL covers the production cost of the show itself (which I imagine is pretty significant) and they cover the travel/room and board for the artist as well (which is probably much cheaper, even for these celebrities). The point literally is exposure. The artists basically get to create the most elaborate show they want to make, perform for just 15 minutes, and reap the benefits of the exposure. Increased sales and streams, and presumably merch. It’s not that bad a deal. It is the main reason the exposure deal even works as a negotiation tactic. If you get the right eyeballs, it will help you. For celebrities of this caliber on this size of stage, 15 minutes of work that you didn’t have to cover the costs for is not a bad deal. For most.
For some, that isn’t enough. Taylor Swift reportedly turned the NFL down for this season’s Super Bowl. I’m not surprised at all. She is one of the few superstars in the world who has more leverage than the NFL does. Taylor Swift does not need the NFL. The NFL needs Taylor Swift. Look at the attention she brought the league just because she decided to date the meathead tight end. Millions of girl eyeballs (age demographic 13-45) suddenly watching football games and buying football merch because their supreme god thought the Lesser Kelce was hot. Taylor doesn’t need the money. Honestly few of these other artists do either (Bad Bunny is certainly not hurting for dough) but Taylor REALLY doesn’t need the exposure. Taylor could record an album of herself ripping a juicy taco bell fart and a not unsubstantial amount of people would defend it as meaningful art.
Honestly, thinking about it, I would too. That would be art. Taylor, if you are listening, make a fart album. I’ll convert to a Swiftie.
The NFL had to be against setting the precedence of paying artists rather than being willing to pay Taylor Swift. If the Chiefs don’t end up in the Super Bowl again, that’s millions in lost viewership. Any expense Swift wants would be worth it except for planting the seed for future artists that they can expect the same.
Dave, are you just testing if we actually read the captions all the way to the end? Because I think I just learned something about you I never needed to know
Feat. Von Miller