Yesterday, UK singer M.I.A. caused quite a stir when she flipped the bird during her performance with Madonna and Nicki Minaj for the Super Bowl’s halftime show. Following the incident, both the NFL & NBA have released statements apologizing (read them after the jump). People are comparing this one to Janet’s nip-slip years back. Do you think it’s that serious? Let us know in the comments!
Officials from the NFL and NBC have apologized to anyone who was offended while viewing the family-friendly event, which is the most watched TV program of the year with over 100 million people tuning in.
“The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show,†NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. “Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers.â€
The NFL attributed a failure in NBC’s delay system for allowing the gesture to be broadcast. According to spokesman Brian McCarthy, M.I.A. did not display the middle finger during rehearsals and the NFL had no reason to believe that she would do so during the live show.
“The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans,†McCarthy said.
