The NFL unveiled a performer for the next Super Bowl on Sunday, and it was not Taylor Swift.
There were rumors that Taylor could have possibly highlighted the Super Bowl 60 halftime, given that she’s basically part of the NFL by virtue of her relationship with Travis Kelce. While she may take charge of a halftime show in the future, it won’t be in 2026.
It’s understood that she had one major condition she would need met to perform, and the league did not go for it.
Commissioner Roger Goodell was asked by the ‘Today’ show earlier this year whether Swift could be the performer at Super Bowl 60 and didn’t give much away, other than it being a “maybe.”
“We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent, and obviously she would be welcome at any time,” he said.
“I can’t tell you anything about it,” he replied when asked whether it was in the works. “It’s a maybe.”
Taylor Swift Wanted Ownership
According to a report from Rob Shuter, via Substack, Taylor Swift had interest in headlining the halftime show in February but wanted “to retain ownership of her performance and secure slots promoting her own projects.”
Shuter noted that the NFL “flatly refused.”
The NFL didn’t feel the need to oblige, as it has the most popular yearly show in the country. While Swift understands the amount of exposure it offers, she’s also the most popular artist in the world, so there was no need to relent on her part.
“They expect the biggest artists in the world to do it for ‘exposure,’” a source noted. “Taylor Swift doesn’t need exposure.”
“She doesn’t need the Super Bowl. But the Super Bowl absolutely needs her. Without Taylor, it’s just another halftime show,” another said.
Whether or not the league caves in the future remains to be seen.
Swift was recently in the news after a process server tried to furnish her with court documents and was arrested for trespassing on Travis Kelce’s property.
