Why Won’t Usher Get Paid for His Super Bowl LVIII Performance? What Does He Get in Return?

The Super Bowl is around the corner. And with the big game also come the highly awaited commercials along with the hyped halftime show performance. This year, Usher will be taking the stage. And even though Usher charges close to a million dollars for a performance, he’ll be doing this one for free! Find out why.

Since the Super Bowl’s introduction in 1967, the halftime show has been a big thing. But big-name artists did not start performing till 1991. Since then, no musician has ever received remuneration from the NFL or the sponsors. And yet the artists eagerly await their opportunity to be on the stage!

Usher is doing the Super Bowl LVIII gig for free

Michael Jackson’s halftime show performance at the Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 blew the roof open. Since then, acclaimed artists of all genres have wanted to perform at the Super Bowl. That too, without charging any performance fee.

“We do not pay the artists. We cover expenses and production costs,” said an NFL spokesperson. This is despite Apple paying $50 million per year to the NFL for sponsorship rights for the halftime show.

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And just like several great musicians before him, the R&B icon will also not be paid for the performance. The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers have everything on the line on February 11. A similar case is with Usher as well!

The future is bright for the superstar

The Super Bowl is watched by an estimated 110 million people every year. With brands paying around $7 million for a mere 30-second commercial, the artist’s performance of 15 minutes is worth $210 million. Hence, the halftime show gig has always been monetarily successful for the artist. The likes of Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, and Snoop Dogg all gained astronomical streaming numbers on their songs. This is the immediate effect, but the profits are long-lasting.

Usher will get increased exposure with this performance. He is slated to see higher demand for tours and bookings worldwide. Higher ticket sales often lead to an eventual increase in performance fees. Sales of merchandise and other paraphernalia also see a hike. So, though the Super Bowl halftime show doesn’t pay directly, it pays a lot indirectly.

Do you think Usher will also gain from the momentum after the Super Bowl show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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