Key Takeaways
- The NFL does not pay halftime performers a salary for their performance
- The league covers all costs related to production, including travel expenses, but the talent themselves do not receive a paycheck
- The cost of a halftime show production can be around $13 million, financing the paychecks of up to 3,000 staffers and technical elements
- Performing at the Super Bowl can lead to increased music sales and exposure for the artist
- The NFL has faced criticism for not paying halftime dancers, but has since agreed to pay all professional dancers for their work
Introduction to the Super Bowl Halftime Show
The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the biggest stages in the world, with hundreds of thousands in attendance and millions more watching from home. Every year, a packed stadium is lit up with excitement, and one might assume that playing the "Big Game" means a big payday. However, the truth is that halftime performers do not receive a salary for their performance. Despite NFL quarterbacks pulling in annual salaries around $50 million, the superstars who lend their talents to the Super Bowl do not rake in similar figures. Bad Bunny, this year’s halftime performer, will not take home anything near an NFL salary for the big concert.
The Reality of Halftime Performer Pay
According to a Sports Illustrated report from 2025, 2024’s halftime performer Usher was paid "$671 for the actual performance" and "about $1,800 for the rehearsals leading up to the Super Bowl." This is a far cry from the millions that NFL players earn. However, entertainment attorney Lori Landew told Forbes in 2019 that the halftime show remains a highly coveted spot for many artists. Some artists view their live performance as an opportunity to entertain an enthusiastic crowd and share their music and talent with millions of viewers, rather than seeing it as a way to make a quick buck.
The Cost of a Halftime Show Production
The cost of a halftime show production can be sky-high, with the 2020 performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira costing the NFL approximately $13 million. This amount finances the paychecks of up to 3,000 staffers involved in the production, as well as technical elements of the performance, like a collapsible 38-part stage and the massive audio equipment rolled in on 18 carts. The cost of awe-inspiring spectacles, like Katy Perry riding into the stadium on a mechanical golden lion or Lady Gaga parachuting into her performance from the roof, can also add up quickly.
What’s in it for Performers?
So, what’s in it for performers? The answer is exposure. Performing on one of the world’s biggest stages that airs on televisions everywhere can be converted into real financial gain in the form of increased music sales. When Justin Timberlake performed in 2018, his music sales rose 534 percent that same day; as for Lady Gaga, sales of her digital catalog spiked 1,000 percent following her 2017 performance. Kendrick Lamar’s show was, among other things, an elaborate promo for his acclaimed 2024 album GNX. This exposure can lead to increased ticket sales, merchandise sales, and other financial opportunities for the artist.
The Controversy Surrounding Halftime Dancers
However, it’s not all balanced. Not only are the star performers not paid, but neither are their dancers. The NFL has been under fire for failing to pay some halftime dancers, framing them as "volunteers." According to an investigation by the Los Angeles Times, "paid dancers received $712 for show day and $45 per hour for their rehearsal time, as well as a $30 per diem and a $250 COVID stipend if a dancer was asked to report to a clinic for a test on a non-work day. Unpaid dancers sat in stadium bleachers for up to two hours in the cold while waiting to rehearse as their paid counterparts spent that time in green rooms." After backlash from the dance community, SAG-AFTRA (the union representing professional dancers) met with producers of the show to ensure that all background dancers are paid.
Bad Bunny’s Exception
Bad Bunny is refusing to play in the United States as part of his ongoing world tour due to the threat of ICE raids targeting his concerts, but he has made an exception for the Super Bowl. The game will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Given his activism for Puerto Rican independence, queer rights, and other humanitarian causes, it’s clear that Bad Bunny sees fit to deliver his inclusive messaging to audiences everywhere. Even if it won’t pay him a dime, the exposure and opportunity to share his music and message with millions of viewers is too great to pass up.
