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NFL Issued Apology For Super Bowl Halftime Show Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Feb 5, 2025 8:36 PM ET

The Super Bowl is set for Sunday evening, as the Kansas City Chiefs will look for a historic Super Bowl three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles.

As usual, the game will be accompanied by a special halftime show - an event that some fans look forward to more than the on-field action itself.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA will perform at the Super Bowl on Sunday, but one New Orleans native says he was hurt after not being receiving an invitation.

"That hurt, it hurt a lot,” Lil Wayne said after learning that Lamar would be the headliner in his hometown.

“I thought there was nothing better that spot, on that stage, on that platform. It broke me, but I’m just trying to put myself back together.”

One of Wayne's closest friends and noted sports commentator Skip Bayless called out the NFL for its decision on the halftime show during his podcast.

“Yes, Lil Wayne is my brother, but anyone can see, this is just so wrong,” Bayless said.

"So, dirty, rotten wrong. Just so unfair. Come on, Wayne is New Orleans."

Lil Wayne not headlining the Super Bowl halftime is ... just ... so ... wrong. pic.twitter.com/r19b5EsAjL
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 5, 2025

Bayless says that the decision from the NFL was so egregious that the league officially sent Lil Wayne a written apology.

“A letter that thanked him for his years of supporting the league, not just the Packers — his favorite team — but supporting and promoting the NFL, in general, which he has," Bayless noted, adding that Wayne makes weekly appearances on NFL Network during the season.

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 29: Rap artist Lil Wayne applauds in the second half during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center on April 29, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

"But, he will not play Sunday’s halftime show, and he definitely won’t watch a second of Sunday’s halftime show," Bayless said, echoing his friend's sentiment after Wayne confirmed that he would not be in attendance on Sunday evening.

Some fans of both artists held out hope that Lamar would invite Wayne on stage as a special surprise guest on Sunday, but it appears that won't happen.

Lamar has songs with several other artists who would cause a viral moment with a surprise appearance, including Taylor Swift. We'll see if he invites any guests on Sunday, and we'll see what the future holds for Lil Wayne after not being selected to perform in his hometown.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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