Why Bad Bunny Will Perform for $0 at Super Bowl 2026 Despite Being Worth $50 Million

On February 8, Bad Bunny will become the first Latino artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show as a solo act. The Puerto Rican superstar was Spotify's most-streamed artist globally in 2025 with 19.8 billion streams. His estimated net worth sits at $50 million.

His paycheck for the biggest performance of his career? Exactly $0.

The NFL has never paid halftime performers an appearance fee. According to league policy, artists receive only union scale wages—roughly $1,000 total—plus covered travel and production expenses. Usher reportedly earned just $671 for his actual 2024 performance, with about $1,800 for rehearsals. (Parade)

So why do the world's biggest artists fight for this gig?

The exposure math works out. After Usher's 2024 performance, his Spotify streams surged 550%, with his song "Caught Up" jumping 2,000%. Rihanna's 2023 show drew 118.7 million viewers—the most-watched TV event in U.S. history—and her digital album sales climbed 301%. (GOBankingRates)

Bad Bunny doesn't need the money. His 2022 World's Hottest Tour grossed over $435 million. His 2024 Most Wanted Tour pulled in $211 million in ticket sales. Pollstar estimates he earns roughly $4.1 million per concert performance. (Cosmopolitan)

His income streams extend far beyond music. Brand deals with Adidas, Corona, Cheetos, and Calvin Klein add millions annually. Acting roles in Bullet Train, Happy Gilmore 2, and Caught Stealing opened new revenue channels. His WWE appearances reportedly earn him around $100,000 each. (The Idolpad)

What makes this Super Bowl different is the cultural weight. Bad Bunny framed the performance in generational terms, saying what he's feeling "goes beyond myself" and that it's "for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown."

The show will also feature the first-ever multilingual signing program, with deaf Puerto Rican performer Celimar Rivera Cosme providing Puerto Rican Sign Language interpretation. (Pro Football Network)

For comparison, here's where Bad Bunny ranks against recent halftime performers by net worth:

Rihanna (2023): $1.4 billion Dr. Dre (2022): $500 million Shakira (2020): $340 million Usher (2024): $180 million Jennifer Lopez (2020): $150 million Bad Bunny (2026): $50 million

(CBS News)

Bad Bunny may be the "poorest" solo headliner in recent Super Bowl history. But with a sold-out world tour launching later this year and 2.6 million tickets sold in the first week alone, that number won't stay at $50 million for long.

The real question isn't how much he's getting paid. It's how much this one performance will add to his empire.

What do you think—is the exposure worth performing for free?

Image source: DepositPhotos/Image Press Agency