Super Bowl fans are rather unimpressed: This year’s Super Bowl takes place in Atlanta, the Hip Hop capital. A petition urging Maroon 5 to drop out of the show was signed by 111.000 people. As a result of the protests the NFL even decided to cancel the press conference for the band.
One reason for the protests is that, due to Atlanta being the Hip-Hop capital, fans feel that a Hip-Hop act would have been the more appropriate performer for the half-time show. However, another reason is the fact that the NFL has repeatedly taken a political stance over the years, even though they are, in theory, not allowed to do so. Colin Kaepernick is a recent example: The former San Francisco 49ers Quarterback protested against Police violence against black people during the National Anthem by remaining seated and then going down on his knees. A large number of NFL players then followed his example. As a consequence, the US President urged the NFL to let those players go due to their ‘lack of respect for the USA’. Kaepernick has since been unable to sign with a new team and has not played in the NFL for two seasons.
..hence why fans feel that this is another political statement by the NFL. Rumor has it that Rihanna or Jay-Z, amongst others, have declined requests to perform, and Amy Schumer turned down a half-time show advert deal.
