Why Usher won't get paid for performing Super Bowl half-time show

Usher will perform at the 2024 Super Bowl half-time show this Sunday, although he won't earn a penny due to a long-standing rule.

The RnB singer will take to the stage at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for a 15-minute show in between Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

Usher will rattle through his many hits, following in the footsteps of the likes of Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Eminem and many more.

But like with 2023 headliner Rihanna, the 45-year-old will not be paid despite the Super Bowl being one of the most lucrative events in all of sports.

No artist has ever been paid a salary for the Super Bowl, an NFL spokesperson confirmed.

"We do not pay the artists," the spokesperson told Forbes in 2016.

"We cover expenses and production costs."

Image: Getty

However, there was a point in time where the NFL had asked the likes of Rihanna, Coldplay and Katy Perry to pay for the chance to perform.

The latter did end up performing but refused to pay out of principle.

Hundreds of millions of people tune in for the Super Bowl half-time show and so the exposure is monumental.

Lady Gaga's album sales skyrocketed by 1000 per cent following her involvement in 2017, with Jennifer Lopez gaining more than two million new followers on social media after teaming up with Shakira - who had a whopping a 230% spike in Spotify streams in 2020.

Image: Getty

Dr. Dre experienced a rise of 183 percent with album sales after taking to the stage in 2022, as well as a 105 percent hike when it comes to on-demand streams.

There is a budget allocated and a few years back The Weekend put $7 million of his own money in, as per Billboard.

Usher has dropping a new album just two days before his performance, while he is also set for a huge tour later this year.