LAS VEGAS, NV – When Usher takes the stage during the halftime show of Super Bowl 2024, he won’t be receiving a substantial paycheck. In fact, performers such as him earn little, if anything at all, for their highly anticipated Super Bowl performances. According to reports, Usher is expected to earn the minimum guaranteed in a union contract, which translates to about $1,000 a day if the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union’s most recent contract applies.

The NFL has a long-standing policy of only paying union scale for halftime performers, which has included big names such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Prince, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Paul McCartney in the past. Additionally, the NFL has a track record of never paying performers and has even attempted to charge artists for the opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl in the past. This was evident when the NFL solicited fees to perform from artists like Rihanna, Cold Play, and Katy Perry in 2015, leading Perry to refuse to pay for the opportunity.

Despite the lack of a substantial paycheck, performers like Usher still agree to do the show for free or for a minimal fee due to the massive exposure they gain from performing at the event. With over 100 million people tuning in to watch the Super Bowl, musicians can showcase their music to a huge audience without having to cover any of the production or travel expenses, which can be quite costly. For Usher, the 12-minute performance during Super Bowl 2024 will serve as a promotional tool for his upcoming world tour and a new album release.

In an interview with CBS Mornings’ Gayle King, Usher expressed his excitement for the performance, noting that it will be a memorable experience for him. He also mentioned that he plans to put on a celebratory performance and will do his best not to break down and cry on stage.

Overall, despite the lack of monetary compensation, performing at the Super Bowl halftime show offers artists a significant platform to showcase their talents and reach a massive audience, making it a valuable opportunity even without a substantial paycheck.