Madonna will “perform during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 5,” according to sources cited by Andrew Sharp of SB NATION. An NFL spokesperson declined to comment. It was “heavily rumored that Madonna would perform at Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, only to have the plans fall apart before a deal could be reached.” Madonna also was “reportedly to headline the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXV, two years later, but backed out at the last minute” (SBNATION.com, 10/3). A spokesperson for Madonna said there is “nothing to confirm at this point.” ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s Adam Vary noted a Madonna performance “certainly would be in keeping with Super Bowl halftime tradition of the past few years, which featured the likes of The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, and the Rolling Stones -- iconic artists still beloved, but also well past their prime chart-topping days” (EW.com, 10/3). NBC "Football Night In America" host Dan Patrick said that execs at NBC, the net that will telecast the game, told him the halftime entertainment “has yet to be selected.” In Indianapolis, David Lindquist notes in recent weeks, fans of Sugarland and the Foo Fighters "have launched grassroots campaigns to encourage the NFL and NBC to place those bands onstage at halftime" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/4).
EXPRESS YOURSELF: ESPN’s Bomani Jones asked whether Madonna would be "singing cover songs" at the Super Bowl, as she "can't sing any of her own songs" during the game. Jones: "'Justify My Love’ at the Super Bowl? They’re not going to let that happen. ‘Like A…’ what? No way in the world” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 10/3). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said, “If they’re going ‘80s, my vote would be for Whitesnake.” Kornheiser: “She hasn’t done anything in about three years. She was doing Bible study the last time I looked. How about Lady Gaga in the meat dress? Isn’t she the real Madonna?” ESPN's Michael Wilbon: “I got two words for you: Wardrobe malfunction. That’s why they’re not calling Lady Gaga out of the pen” (“PTI,” ESPN, 10/3). The National Post' Bruce Arthur wrote on his Twitter feed, "Madonna performing at halftime of the Super Bowl? I bet Joe Montana and John Elway will really enjoy that before they play the second half." The N.Y. Times' Don Van Natta Jr.: "Little-known #NFL rule: All Super Bowl halftime acts must be older than @nflcommish but younger than Al Davis." Fox Sports Ohio's Pat McManamon: "Following Madonna at this year's Super Bowl, Herman's Hermits." The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman: "madonna to do the super bowl halftime show. another year, another huey lewis snub."
