(AllHipHop News) With one middle finger, M.I.A. could end up paying much more for flipping off television viewers tuned in to this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.
Sources tell TMZ.com that the rapper stands to pay any fines imposed on NBC as a result of her giving sports fans the finger while taking the stage with Madonna and Nicki Minaj during the halftime show. M.I.A. was on hand during Madonna’s set to perform her part of the Material Girl’s new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin’.”
In light of surprising performances in years past, the NFL protected itself against future harm by having M.I.A. and others sign a contract with them for the performance. In the contract, the rapstress agreed to indemnify the NFL for any money it might be forced to pay if the FCC comes down on NBC.
According to TMZ’s sources, “Aside from the fact that the NFL doesn’t want to pay a huge fine, the organization wants to send a message to performers — don’t you dare screw with us.”
News of M.I.A.’s possible fine comes years after CBS drew a $550,000 FCC fine for Janet Jackson’s famous wardrobe malfunction during her halftime show performance at the 2004 Super Bowl. Despite the hefty penalty, the fine was ultimately thrown out by a federal appeals court.