Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to continue picking Super Bowl halftime performers in NFL partnership

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to continue picking Super Bowl halftime performers in NFL partnership

October 18, 2024

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Roc Nation and the NFL have extended their partnership.

The entertainment company founded by Jay-Z will continue to produce the Super Bowl halftime show, USA TODAY confirmed with a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly. The details of the contract have yet to be announced.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay-Z first announced the multiyear partnership with Roc Nation in 2019, with the company serving as the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist as a part of the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative. The initiative also focuses on the league’s social justice efforts and was launched following the NFL’s controversial treatment of former player Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality during the 2016 season.

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“It’s been a mutually positive relationship,” Goodell told Bloomberg, who was first to report the news. “I’m not sure either one of us really spend much time talking about contracts. Jay is happy. (Roc Nation CEO) Desiree Perez is happy. I’m happy, so we’re all good.”

Under the partnership with Roc Nation, Super Bowl halftime headliners have included: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez; The Weeknd; Dr. Dre with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak; Rihanna; and, most recently, Usher, who was joined by Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Will.i.am, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris.

In September, Lamar was announced as the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show headliner. Super Bowl LIX is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

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Meanwhile, the Inspire Change campaign has resulted in $55 million in grants to social justice organizations, and team contributions have resulted in more than $248 million to “change-driven” non-profits, according to the NFL.

Contributing: Caché McClay and Brendan Morrow