M.I.A. Reaches Settlement With NFL: Middle Finger Lawsuit Is Over, Though Terms Remain Private

[DudeAsInCool]

M.I.A. and the NFL have reached a settlement in the lawsuit that followed after M.I.A. flashed a middle finger during her cameo at Madonna's halftime show at the 2012 Super Bowl. According to the Hollywood Reporter, M.I.A.'s attorney Howard King has confirmed that a settlement between parties has been reached, though the specific terms of the settlement remain private.

In 2012, M.I.A. was issued a $1.5 million fine after she flipped off a camera during her brief appearance on stage at the February 5 show. The NFL claimed her gesture was in "flagrant disregard for the values that form the cornerstone of the NFL brand and the Super Bowl."

According to the NFL, M.I.A. breached a pre-show agreement to maintain the NFL's "reputation for wholesomeness"; the league argued she broke the contract as a publicity stunt, and later upped the fine to $16.6 million, which they claimed as restitution for the alleged public exposure she gained as a result of the event.

M.I.A. previously issued a statement that said the lawsuit was "completely ridiculous" and that "they’re scapegoating me into figuring out the goalposts on what is offensive in America". She also said it was "a massive waste of time, a massive waste of money, it’s a massive display of powerful corporation dick-shaking. They want me on my knees and say[ing] sorry so they can slap me on my wrist." Read the rest of her statement here, or check out the video below.

No further details of the settlement have been revealed at this time.

 Listen to M.I.A.'s "Y.A.L.A.":

[url=http://pitchfork.com/news/56433-mia-reaches-settlement-with-nfl-middle-finger-lawsuit-is-over-though-terms-remain-private/]View the full article[/url]