Roger Goodell Speaks Out On Kendrick Lamar As Super Bowl Halftime Show Headliner

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell isn’t letting Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance bring down his mood—in fact, it's quite the opposite.

Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to the Super Bowl halftime scene. He previously took the stage during the 2022 halftime show, joining a star-studded lineup that included Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent.

Ahead of the big show, Roger Goodell was spotted out in New York City with his wife, Jane, when the paparazzi caught up with him, asking how he feels about Kendrick Lamar rocking the stage in New Orleans this February.

The NFL commissioner is totally on board with this year’s halftime headliner, declaring he’s "absolutely" a fan of the 17-time Grammy winner.

"Feeling great [about it]!!" Goodell told a camera person, per TMZ.

Roc Nation, the NFL, and Apple Music dropped the big news on Sunday.

Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, set for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, and will be broadcast live on Fox.

In a statement to Hollywood Reporter, the 37-year-old rapper confidently declared, "Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I'll be there to remind the world why they got the right one."

Lamar, who snagged an Emmy for Outstanding Live Variety Special with his epic 2022 performance alongside hip-hop legends, is enlisting his pgLang company for the creative direction of this year's show. pgLang, co-founded by Lamar and director Dave Free, is behind many of Lamar’s music videos.

Drake appears to have finally chimed in on Kendrick Lamar headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025.

The Canadian rapper recently posted five photos of Lil Wayne on his Instagram Story, sparking speculation among fans that this could be his not-so-subtle response to Lamar’s new gig.

Wondering what Lil Wayne has to do with this? Well, many fans and artists had hoped that the "Lollipop" rapper would be the one to score the halftime spot, especially since the Super Bowl is set to take place in his hometown of New Orleans.

“As Ambassador of Entertainment in the City of New Orleans I have to agree with the fans that @liltunechi #LilWayne should be a part of this celebration as well,” Master P wrote via Instagram, per Us Magazine. “He’s one of the greatest Hop Hop [sic] artists alive, still relevant and he’s a New Orleans native. Let’s not miss this cultural moment in the South. Life is too short! We have to give our legends their flowers while they are here.”

Those close to Lil Wayne are voicing their frustrations with the decision not to name him as the headliner for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.

Nicki Minaj took to her account, saying, “Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Nola what’s good?!!!!!! Eminem stood firm on having 50Cent come out.," she added.

A second post from the rapper read, “One n-gga took a knee The other n-gga took the bag. He gon get you ‘n-ggers’ in line every fkng time.”

Some are speculating that this move was a reaction to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s sidelining after his national anthem protests. The conversation has resurfaced as fans debate the choice of Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, with some referencing the broader context of the NFL’s actions and responses in recent years.

“I love watching the whole industry play dumb time after time. lol," she wrote. "The truth is the truth no matter who tells it. Picking & choosing who yall accept truth from then BAM! Pow! might tell you a joke but won’t tell you a lie. Bwahahahaaha.” "

Roger Goodell did not comment on the backlash regarding the Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner.