You know how sometimes you get into a jam and ask your friend with a swanky job to help you out, you know, with a bit of a loan?
Well, M.I.A. is in just such a jam, except her loan is major, like $16 million major and her pal just happens to be Madonna.
You see, the controversy-loving singer was hit with a $1.5 million fine for allegedly breaching her performance contract and tarnishing the reputation of the NFL when she flashed her middle-finger salute during a halftime performance of Madge's "Give Me All Your Luvin'" at the 2012 Super Bowl.
Now, according to the Hollywood Reporter , in addition to that fine, the league has added another claim, seeking $15.1 million more in "restitution" due to the alleged value of public exposure M.I.A. received by appearing during approximately two minutes of the Madonna performance.
The NFL arrived at that math based on what they said advertisers would have paid for spots during that time. M.I.A.'s lawyers, however, said those figures make no sense. "The claim for restitution lacks any basis in law, fact, or logic," her lawyers said in response papers filed on Friday. The Reporter said that M.I.A.'s lawyer, Howard King, has been trying to undercut the league's argument that its reputation has been damaged in the incident. He's even set up a special e-mail address (NFL#khpblaw.com) for the public to weigh in on what he says in the NFL's lack of wholesomeness.
As examples, he cites a number of "profane, bawdy, lascivious, demeaning and/or unacceptable behavior by its players, team owners, coaching and management personnel and by performers chosen and endorsed by NFL to perform in its halftime shows." Proof includes Michael Jackson's crotch-grabbing 1993 halftime performance, Prince's phallic 2007 backdrop, the young female dancers thrusting their hips stripper-like in Madonna's show and a recent proposal to assess a 15-yard penalty for in-game use of the "n-word."
In the meantime, M.I.A. is preparing for the worst by hitting up Madge for some scratch just in case things don't go her way.
via MTV News
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