NFL Now Suing M.I.A. For $16.6 Million in Damages Over Middle Finger Incident

Looking to up their previous $1.5 million fine, the NFL is now looking to receive $16.6 million in damages from M.I.A. following her flashing a middle finger during the 2012 Super Bowl half time show. M.I.A. previously spoke out against the initial fine, and now an additional $15.1 million is being tacked on as ”restitution.” The new figure represents the alleged value of public exposure she received by appearing in Madonna’s performance, and it was calculated based on what advertisers would have paid for ads during the same amount of time. The singer/rapper has gone on to tweet out the following image of the complaint, which the NFL has proposed to take a percentage of her income on top of other damages.

THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT ME TO SIGN , THAT IVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR 2 YEARS ON TOP OF 16 MILLION pic.twitter.com/PMurD3oVFL

— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) March 17, 2014

The updated reports were shared via The Hollywood Reporter, and it looks like things will continue to get messy for a lot more time as both parties make their arguments. M.I.A. has countered the complaint by issuing examples of other artists, owners, coaches and players doing “unacceptable behavior” on the field, and this being “the NFL’s first foray into salacious performances in their Halftime Shows,” according to her arbitration papers. For further details on the matter be sure to check out the full report by clicking here.