Maroon 5 Deflects Super Bowl Backlash by Announcing Donation
Written by SOURCE on January 29, 2019
With backlash mounting toward the Super Bowl’s halftime performers, Maroon 5 took a page out of Travis Scott‘s book by announcing the charity where they would like the NFL to make a donation.
On Tuesday (Jan. 29), People reported that Maroon 5, the NFL, and Interscope Records will make a $500,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
“Playing the Super Bowl has been a dream of our band for a long time,” lead singer Adam Levine said. “We thank the NFL for the opportunity and also to them, along with Interscope Records, for making this donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters, which will have a major impact for children across the country.”
Maroon 5 is following the lead of Travis Scott, who made the news when he revealed he only signed on to perform at the Super Bowl after the NFL agreed to make a $500,000 donation to the Dream Corp. charity.
“I back anyone who takes a stand for what they believe in,” Scott said two weeks prior to Maroon 5. “I know being an artist that it’s in my power to inspire. So before confirming the Super Bowl Halftime performance, I made sure to partner with the NFL on this important donation.”
Yet, despite what Scott suggests, these donations are not advised by the artists. Rather, they’re part of the NFL’s new #InspireChange social initiative that went into effect on Jan. 11, 2019. Scott released the information as an attempt to mute the uproar caused by his performance. Many fans feel like he crossed the picket lines established by acts like Rihanna and Cardi B, who refused to perform in support of Colin Kaepernick. This backlash grew louder when it was falsely reported that Kaepernick and Scott had a conversation about the performance that led to “mutual respect and understanding.”
Equipped with this information, it’s easy to see how Maroon 5’s announcement could be an attempt to help sooth the wounds that their performance will create.
