Taylor Swift reportedly shut down Super Bowl halftime show deal due contract clash with NFL

Taylor Swift will not be performing at the Super Bowl halftime show after the NFL reportedly declined to meet her conditions for taking the stage.

Sources have said that negotiations broke down when the league refused her requests, leading Swift to walk away from the deal.

Industry insider Rob Shuter reported that the NFL approached Swift but refused to accommodate her demands. The league has a long-standing practice of not paying halftime performers, offering the event as “exposure.” A source was blunt, however: “Taylor Swift doesn’t need exposure.”

According to insiders, Swift asked for full ownership rights to her performance and requested advertising slots during the broadcast to promote her own projects. The NFL declined, with one music executive explaining, “She wasn’t asking for favours, she was asking for respect.”

Insiders emphasised Swift’s global influence, highlighting her ability to drive ratings and worldwide attention. One noted, “She wanted a deal that reflected her value. She wasn’t about to hand that over for free.” Another stated, “Without Taylor, it’s just another halftime show.”

Major artists from Beyoncé to The Weeknd have previously headlined the show without direct payment, but Swift’s firm stance has reframed expectations about what the event can demand from the biggest names in music.