The possibility of Taylor Swift taking over the Super Bowl halftime stage has reportedly been shut down.
After months of speculation, a new report has claimed that the pop star will not perform after the NFL rejected her conditions for the deal.
The report, which originated on Rob Shuter’s Substack and was later picked up by outlets including NBC affiliate WCNC, claimed that Swift’s team pushed for terms that reflected her global stature.
The sticking point was the league’s long-standing policy of not paying halftime performers. Swift reportedly requested to retain ownership of her performance and secure slots promoting her own projects. The NFL, however, “flatly refused,” according to insiders.
This all stems from comments NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made earlier this month. Asked directly about Swift on NBC’s Today, he told reporters she would be “welcome at any time” and, when pressed, simply added: “It’s a maybe,” according to Reuters. That cautious answer kept speculation alive even before the latest reports of a breakdown in negotiations.
Of course, the NFL has long defended its position by pointing to the massive audience—over 100 million viewers—treating the platform as payment in itself. For many artists, that tradeoff has been enough. But for Swift, whose Eras Tour has already broken records worldwide, insiders say the platform offered little incentive without concrete control over her own show.
With the "Cruel Summer" singer reportedly out, the NFL is now exploring other options. Adele is still reportedly in discussions to headline, while Miley Cyrus has also been mentioned as a contender.
