Photo via Rihanna’s Twitter

The NFL is currently searching for its Super Bowl Halftime Show 2015 headliner, eyeing three big-name acts in Coldplay, Rihanna, and Katy Perry. So, how exactly will the league choose who graces such an enormous stage? Well, for the first time ever, it all depends on which act is willing to pay the big bucks.

“In a twist this year, the league has asked artists under consideration for the high-profile gig to pay to play,” reports Wall Street Journal (via SPIN), naming the above artists as the top three contenders.



According to the WSJ, some NFL employees have already approached and “asked at least some of the acts if they would be willing to contribute a portion of their post-Super Bowl tour income to the league, or if they would make some other type of financial contribution, in exchange for the halftime gig.” So far, WSJ claims the responses from have been lackluster at best.

(Read: The Best and Worst Super Bowl Halftime Performances)

While the Super Bowl Halftime Show is arguably one of the most coveted TV spots — garnering more viewers than the game itself — this new policy will likely stir up some controversy, especially from those who deride anything that even remotely resembles payola.

In related news, I guess that petition for “Weird Al” Yankovic to play the Super Bowl Halftime Show is pretty much dead in the water — that is, unless he or his loyal fans are ready to pony up.