In September, it was rumored that Maroon 5 would play the Super Bowl halftime show. On Friday morning, Us Weekly, citing a single anonymous source, reported that the group’s invitation to front the annual football-adjacent extravaganza came after Rihanna had declined an offer of her own. Entertainment Tonight confirmed the report with another (albeit also anonymous) source, who added that Pink had also said no. Rihanna’s reasoning, these sources said, hinged on Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who began kneeling in silent protest of racial discrimination and police violence during the national anthem and hasn’t been signed to a team since. Kaepernick is currently suing the league, alleging it has blacklisted him since he began protesting. (A rep for Rihanna did not immediately reply to a request for comment.)
“The offer and exposure would have been great for Rihanna as she’s planning a new album and tour but she stuck to what’s right in her eyes,” this source said to Entertainment Tonight.
What exactly is Rihanna turning down? Musicians are not paid to play the Super Bowl. (Some have reportedly paid themselves for the gig—or at least their labels have.) The relationship is a symbiotic one, surely, pop acts keeps eyes glued to the TV between halves…
