Adele wasn’t interested. Lady Gaga apparently is.
According to Billboard.com, the artist born as Stefani Germonatta is in talks with the NFL to serve as halftime entertainment at Super Bowl LI. The league’s interest in her arises from a memorable performance of the national anthem prior to Super Bowl 50.
“We have had conversations with several fantastic artists about the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show,” a league representative told Billboard.com. “However, at this point we do not have a final decision. We’re happy there is so much excitement about the show.”
There really isn’t “excitement” about the show. More than anything, people are curious about whether the league will find a true A-list performer, or whether Pepsi and the NFL will use the platform to partner with an up-and-coming act or a fading star in the hopes of turning the sound of music into the chiming of a cash register.
Previously, the Wall Street Journal reported that the league had been seeking a piece of the lift that the halftime performer gets from singing and dancing in front of more than 100 million people. It’s unclear whether the NFL has insisted on such terms. It would surprise no one to learn that it has.