It’s impossible to not have feelings about the Super Bowl venue and the Halftime Show headliner. This year, though, has been a sore subject for a few. Due to conflicting schedules, New Orleans’ turn to host the Halftime Show was deferred to 2025. But it shocked a few when the representative rapper of NOLa, Lil Wayne was skipped. NOLa-born and bred NFL pro, Leonard Fournette, and LSU superstar, Shaquille O’Neal are not over it. But Magic Johnson, Shaq’s biggest mentor, is hyped for what Jay-Z has been doing for the Halftime Show. Little does he know that Shaq has desires for sabotage.

Two of LSU’s greatest athletes, Shaquille O’Neal and Leonard Fournette returned to campus for the homecoming parade and a live show of The Big Podcast. A fan in the audience asked their thoughts about the Super Bowl in NOLa without Lil Wayne. Fournette has come to accept it, but Shaq has “hypothetical” plans.

“Let’s just say the Halftime Show was from 12 to 1. Should Lil Wayne do a concert in New Orleans at the same time and televise it?” Fournette’s answer to Shaq’s question was, “Definitely.”

In September 2024, the NFL and Kendrick Lamar announced the “They Not Like Us” hitmaker would headline the most-watched show of the year. Lil Wayne immediately responded with an emotional social media post stating the snub “broke” him. Meanwhile, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation won an extension on the Halftime Show with the NFL today.

At least Magic Johnson is happy about it. Because he tweeted, “Congratulations and job well done to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Jay-Z and his company Roc Nation on extending their partnership deal for the Super Bowl Halftime show!”

But Shaq and Fournette have differing opinions on the matter. They’d be happier if Lil Wayne did a live-stream concert like Lamar’s ‘Pop Out’ concert (which Shaq loved), it would be sold-out, and people would watch it over the Halftime Show. Despite his saboteur claims, Shaq isn’t that serious.

Shaq would watch the Halftime Show anyway

Shaquille O’Neal was initially staying neutral on the debate over the Super Bowl though it’s obvious his loyalties are with NOLa. He, however, shared an online content creator’s fictional skit on the argument between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. Here’s the thing though, Shaq is friends with everyone involved and he can’t take a clear side.

So he did jump into the discussion, but to defend Jay-Z. “I love them both. Really love Kendrick [Lamar], really love Lil’ Wayne. It would make sense to have a lot of involvement with Lil Wayne,” he said on a previous edition of The Big Podcast. “I don’t know what’s going on, a lot of blame being thrown at Jay-Z, but Jay-Z is part of the committee. I don’t think he runs the committee. It’s my understanding that the city also has an influence on who they pick.”

As Shaq said, the NFL with Roc Nation’s input shortlists the performers and the city (though it’s unclear what the deciding body is) gets final say. So it’s New Orleans that picked Lamar.

Despite his plans to sabotage the Halftime Show, O’Neal previously seemed intent to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Meanwhile, Magic Johnson would love to see his Commanders get there.