NFL Reportedly Demanding $16.6 Million From M.I.A. for Her Middle Finger During Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Performance

Will this story ever end?

Image via Huffington Post

Remember when M.I.A.flipped off the camera during her Super Bowl XLVI halftime performance with Madonna? It's okay if it slipped your mind a bit since the moment happened a little more than two years ago. However, the incident hasn't slipped the mind of the NFL who are still embroiled in a huge legal battle with her. In fact, on Friday, the league filed arbitration papers which reveal that the league is seeking an astounding $1.5 million for allegedly breaching her performance contract and tarnishing the NFL's goodwill and reputation, as well as $15.1 million in "restitution" for the alleged amount of "public exposure she received by appearing for an approximately two minute segment." 

Meanwhile, M.I.A.'s lawyer Howard King is looking to attack the NFL's stance that her actions tarnished the league's reputation by bringing up the previous performances of Michael Jackson in 1993 and Prince in 2007. In M.I.A.'s response papers, her attorney points to how the "NFL was fully aware that Jackson was going to engage in such 'genitalia adjustments' in his performance" and the league knew about Prince's intent to stroke the neck of his guitar while situated behind a sheet of fabric insinuating certain things.  

The response papers also point to a proposal to ban the use of the N-word during play and the recent rejection of a $765 million settlement proposal for concussions. Plus, King has set up an email (NFL@khpblaw.com) which asks people to submit examples that contradict the league's "wholesome" image. Clearly, the more time this legal battle takes, the uglier it is going to get. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. 

[via The Hollywood Reporter]

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