Super Bowl Half-Time Show: Why Maroon 5 Cancelled Their News Conference

Maroon 5 cancelled their news conference to discuss their upcoming half-time performance at Super Bowl LIII on Sunday. They will not be meeting with any reporters unlike most previous acts have done.

The National Football League (NFL) confirmed the cancellation via a statement on Tuesday by stating the artists will “let their show do the talking” rather than answer questions from the media. They also revealed the NFL have begun a cross-platform roll out of behind the scenes footage to build the excitement leading up to the event on Feb.3.

Maroon 5 will be joined by OutKast member Big Boi and rapper Travis Scott at the half-time show when the Los Angeles Rams take on the New England Patriots for the Super Bowl in Atlanta. The band refused to provide details for the sudden cancellation.

But it is likely that the NFL and the band wanted to avoid answering questions about the call for the need to address social injustice during the Super Bowl. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has become the face for the fight against racial injustice and police brutality and many an artist have come forward in support of the former NFL player.

The likes of Rihanna and Cardi B are said to have turned down the opportunity to perform during Super Bowl half-time, and according to Yahoo Sports, a number of other artists have reportedly "lobbied" for Scott to pull out of the performance on Sunday and they include Jay-Z, Common, Nick Cannon and Meek Hill.

Maroon 5 has certainly heard of the backlash from the industry and some music fans and the band’s keyboardist addressed the issue and revealed that it was an opportunity too good to turn down. He said they are only doing it as their job is to “make people feel good” and that is their main objective.

“This is definitely a controversial year, but it’s something I’ve wanted to do my whole life. As musician it’s the biggest stage you could ever play,” the band’s keyboardist said, as quoted on Yahoo. “Our job as musicians is to provide a service and make people feel good, and I think that’s going to be our mission — just to have a good time and do what we do. I’m excited to play on that stage, man. I watched halftime shows my whole life. I want to be there.”

Meanwhile, on the same day as the announcement to cancel the press conference, the NFL revealed they along with Maroon 5 and Interscope Records had made a donation of $500,000 to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America charity, which will help a number of children across the country.

Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine revealed that the Super Bowl opportunity was a dream, while also thanking the NFL and Interscope Records for making the donation, stating: “ Playing the Super Bowl has been a dream of our band for a long time."

"We thank the NFL for the opportunity and also to them, along with Interscope Records, for making this donation,” he added.