M.I.A. Battles NFL Over Super Bowl Performance
It’s been 18 months since M.I.A.’s performance with Madonna at Super Bowl XLVI, but the controversial set is still making headlines. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the NFL is suing the Sri Lankan rapper-singer for $1.5 million for allegedly breaching her contract and tarnishing its goodwill and reputation after she flipped the middle finger.
But M.I.A. is fighting back. On Monday, the “Paper Planes” hitmaker launched a public war against the league by releasing a video statement via WikiLeaks.
“The NFL thing is completely ridiculous,” says Maya in the clip entitled “NFL vs. M.I.A.” “It’s been making me laugh for a while, but now it’s so boring, I don’t even laugh anymore.”
She claims that she’s been made a scapegoat by the NFL and points out some high school cheerleaders who were dancing in sexually provocative ways during the performance.
“Now they’re scapegoating me into figuring out the goal posts on what is offensive in America,” she says. “Is my finger offensive or is an underage black girl with her legs wide open more offensive to the family audience?”
She calls the whole incident a “massive waste of time and money” and an example of “powerful corporation dick-shaking.”
Do you agree? Watch her address the public below.