Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show Without Financial Compensation
The Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to take the stage on February 8, 2026, for the Super Bowl halftime show. This performance marks one of the most significant moments in his career, yet he will not receive any direct payment for it. The 31-year-old artist, known for hits like "Tití Me Preguntó," has been selected as the headliner for this year's event, sparking controversy among some political groups, including segments of the MAGA movement. Critics have labeled him a "massive Trump hater" and an "anti-ICE activist," while also criticizing his lack of English-language songs.
The NFL's No-Pay Policy for Halftime Performers
Contrary to popular belief, halftime show performers at the Super Bowl do not receive a salary for their appearances. According to reports from Forbes, the NFL does not pay headliners, aside from a union-mandated minimum fee of a few hundred dollars, which is typically absorbed into overall production costs. Instead, artists rely on the immense exposure provided by the event, which attracts an audience of millions worldwide. This tradition has been in place for years, with musicians viewing the platform as a valuable opportunity to boost their careers through increased visibility and subsequent revenue streams.
Exposure Over Payment: The Halftime Show's Impact on Artists
The benefits of performing at the Super Bowl halftime show are substantial, as evidenced by past performers. For instance, following Kendrick Lamar's performance at the 2025 Super Bowl, which was watched by an average of 133.5 million viewers, his song "Not Like Us" experienced a 430 percent surge in streams. Similarly, Rihanna saw a dramatic increase in music sales and streams after her 2023 halftime show, with her Spotify streams jumping by 640 percent. Additionally, her cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty, gained significant traction, generating an estimated $88.3 million in media impact value within just 12 hours of the performance, according to Launchmetrics.
Other artists have also reaped rewards from their Super Bowl appearances. Lady Gaga's album and song sales soared by 1000 percent after her 2017 performance, while Jennifer Lopez gained 2.3 million new Instagram followers following her 2020 halftime show with Shakira. These examples highlight how the exposure from the event can lead to substantial financial and promotional gains, even in the absence of direct payment.
High Production Costs and Artist Investments
The production of the Super Bowl halftime show involves significant expenses, often reaching around $10 million, covered by the NFL and sponsors like Apple Music. These costs include staff salaries, elaborate sets, and audio equipment. In some cases, artists have contributed their own funds to enhance the show. For example, in 2021, The Weeknd reportedly spent $7 million of his own money on the production, a move mirrored by Dr. Dre the previous year.
Super Bowl LX Details and Historical Context
This year's Super Bowl LX will be held on February 8 in Santa Clara, California, featuring a matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. The two teams last faced each other in 2015, with the Patriots emerging victorious with a final score of 28-24. As Bad Bunny prepares for his performance, he joins a lineage of artists who have leveraged the Super Bowl stage to amplify their reach, demonstrating that in the world of entertainment, exposure can sometimes outweigh immediate financial gain.
