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According to Rolling Stone, the NFL reportedly has asked the front-runners for the 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show if they would be willing to pay for the right to perform. Those front-runners reportedly include Katy Perry, Rihanna and Coldplay — artists who (as you can probably imagine) are not used to being asked to pay to perform anywhere.
The NFL reportedly reached out to numerous artists and asked if they would be willing to exchange "a portion" of their post-Super Bowl tour earnings or pay the league in some other way. The NFL understands what an appearance at the game can mean for an artist — Bruno Mars' Moonshine Jungle tour went on sale the day after the Super Bowl in 2014 and ticket sales were likely enhanced because of his performance. Beyoncé also announced her Mrs. Carter Show tour right after her Super Bowl appearance in 2013.
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Although the NFL doesn't normally pay artists who play the Halftime Show, they do apparently cover other things, like travel expenses and production on the show. According to Rolling Stone, the production itself can cost the league up to $1 million.
Although Katy Perry, Rihanna and Coldplay have no problem selling tickets to their shows, an appearance could definitely give them a boost. But, as expected, the suggestion that the A-list artists pay to play the show "got a chilly reception from the candidates' representatives."
