With the Super Bowl just a few days away, you might be wondering what makes it so exciting. Well, besides the big game between the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, there’s also the halftime show that gets everyone talking! Plus, Usher will be taking the stage this year, marking his return after 13 years since his last performance at the Super Bowl in 2011.
But have you ever wondered how much those halftime performers get paid? It’s a bit more complicated than you might think.
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Super Bowl Halftime Payday: Myth or Reality?
NFL players earn an average salary of $2.7 million per year, so the assumption that halftime show headliners at the Super Bowl rake in millions are debunked in the case of Rihanna’s last year performance. Despite her musical prowess and hits like “Bitch Better Have My Money,” the featured performer won’t be cashing in on her February 12 halftime show.
From its humble beginnings with college marching bands to the spectacle of pregnant Rihanna descending from the sky, the Super Bowl Halftime show has evolved into a platform for iconic performances and controversies, with the upcoming show highlighting a surprising constant—Rihanna’s performance won’t be a financial windfall.
Super Bowl Halftime Show: Paid in Exposure, Not Cash (But Is It Worth It?)
If you want a short answer then yes it’s worth it, here why, The NFL covers production costs, but performers don’t pocket a traditional fee. However, the return on investment (ROI) can be astronomical. Consider this:
The Super Bowl, a huge sports event in the US, gets watched by over 100 million people in one night. In 2023, Rihanna’s halftime show during the Super Bowl had around 118.7 million people watching at its peak. That’s a lot of people tuning in!
Impact on Artists
- Album Sales: After Beyoncé performed in 2013, her album sales shot up by 312%.
- Merchandise Sales: Katy Perry’s merchandise sales went up by 600% after her halftime show in 2015.
Career Boost
- Endorsement Deals: Jennifer Lopez got a $12 million deal with Fiat after her performance in 2020.
- Tours: Justin Timberlake’s tour made $268 million after his halftime show in 2018.
Future Collaborations: After Shakira and JLo’s performance in 2020, they collaborated with Pepsi for an estimated $100 million.
Creative Freedom
Most important of all and the reason why artists love doing Halftime shows is because Halftime Shows allow artists to be super creative. They have a big platform to show off their ideas and influence pop culture. The Weeknd spent $7 million on his 2021 show to use cool technology and storytelling techniques.
The Cost-Benefit Conundrum
Even though they don’t get paid directly, some of the performers put a lot of money into the production. Among other things, career gains are often more significant than money with which it is backed. For instance, The Weeknd’s investment can be said to have yielded huge returns due to successful tour and endorsement deals that followed.
Even after all those perks don’t you think they should pay the artist, it’s not like the NFL doesn’t have money, so why don’t they pay the artists for their performances? Well, we’re getting to that.
Why the NFL Doesn’t Pay Halftime Performers: Exposure Powerhouse or Exploitative System?
As we mentioned above Some artists perform at the Super Bowl halftime show even though they don’t get paid much. But the exposure from such a big event can lead to a huge increase in their music sales.
For example, after J. Lo and Shakira performed in 2020, their song sales went up by over 1,000%! Even if a performer’s show gets criticized, like Maroon 5’s did in 2019, their music sales still go up by a lot. This happens because so many people watch the Super Bowl on TV. It’s a great chance for artists to promote their music, tours, and other projects. Usher, for example, will use his upcoming performance to promote his new album and Las Vegas residency.
Is It Fair? The Debate Continues
Other people are questioning the lack of direct compensation, even though some hail it as a priceless Super Bowl opportunity. The issue of whether prominent performances should be adequately paid for is still debated, and this is exemplified by the Super Bowl halftime show.
Bonus Points
- Number of halftime shows with multiple performers: 12 out of the last 20 shows (2004-2024) featured multiple artists, suggesting a trend towards collaboration.
- The average age of halftime performers: is 41 years old (as of 2023), highlighting the platform’s appeal to established artists.
- Most-viewed halftime show on YouTube: Shakira and JLo’s 2020 performance, with over 5 billion views.
