Jay-Z (Getty Images)
The hip-hop icon has helped shape the NFL’s halftime entertainment since his company, Roc Nation, partnered with the league in 2019. Jay-Z, 56, has never headlined the Super Bowl halftime show himself. Since Roc Nation began working with the NFL in 2019, the partnership has helped bring major artists such as Rihanna, Usher, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny to the stage. The rapper is also celebrating major milestones in his music career through his Jay-Z 30 Tour, which marks 30 years since
The race to headline Super Bowl LXI has already sparked a wave of speculation, with Jay-Z emerging as one of the biggest names in the conversation. Now, a report suggesting that he selected himself for the upcoming show has put the spotlight on his unusual position in the selection process. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has finally addressed the growing buzz, but his response has stopped short of confirming or denying Jay-Z’s involvement. Rather than confirm the speculation, the NFL commissioner stressed that the league had not made an official announcement. His comments followed a report from Puck claiming that Jay-Z had selected himself to perform at the event, despite his role in helping the NFL choose its halftime headliners. The report also linked Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber to the potential lineup, although neither artist has received official confirmation. Jay-Z’s possible appearance would mark a new chapter in his relationship with the NFL.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Goodell faced questions about reports that Jay-Z could headline the Super Bowl LXI halftime show.
However, the league has a history of keeping its halftime plans under wraps. Before Super Bowl LX, Taylor Swift was linked to the show in several reports, but Bad Bunny ultimately headlined the performance in Santa Clara. He became the first Latino artist to headline the show solo and the first to perform entirely in Spanish, with Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joining him on stage. For now, Goodell’s remarks offer no final answer. Until the NFL makes its announcement, fans will have to wait to discover whether Jay-Z moves from helping select the halftime star to becoming the star himself.