Gresh & Zo: NFL Wants To Charge Super Bowl Halftime Performers
BOSTON (CBS) - Since the beginning, the Super Bowl halftime show is a spectacle that millions of people tune in to watch every year. And this year, the NFL wants to charge performers to play for in front of the millions of television viewers around the world, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
On Wednesday, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak weighed in.
"They've always done it for free. It's basically 20 minutes where you have the attention of the world," said Gresh, who admits he was unaware of this fact. "I was enlightened to the fact that the Super Bowl artists are going on for the bubble. They're doing it for the publicity."
We tend to forget, as last year's blowout brought it to the forefront again, but a lot of these big games are one-sided. Just look at the history and you realize that the game is not always competitive.
But the Super Bowl is more than just a game, it's a spectacle and a television event like no other. It's for the hardcore fans, as well as the casual fans and those that are only interested in the commercials.
So to keep your viewers for the entirety of the game, or at least until after halftime, you need an artist to draw a wide range of people in. People are always looking forward to the performance, and last year's blowout proved it's as important as ever.
"At some point you want to watch the Super Bowl, but you don't," said Zo. "You want Denver to lose for our rooting perspective here in New England, but to watch that game and sit through it, one thing I did look forward to was the halftime show. I think they have figured out that this is a different event. The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event we will ever see. The NFL can sell this thing now, and they know it."
Call it greed, or a smart business move, but the financial gains for the artist post halftime show is evident. So maybe it is worth the price -- whatever that may be.
For some perspective, FOX received nearly $4 million for each 30-second commercial, so you could only imagine what 20 minutes would cost.
"Is this the height of arrogance from the NFL, or is this really smart business?" asked Gresh.
What are your thoughts? Weigh in below in the comments section and listen to the full discussion:
NFL Wants To Charge Super Bowl Halftime Performers
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