More conflict is brewing in one of the biggest intersections of the sports and entertainment worlds.
A Change.org petition with more than 66,000 signatures demands that Maroon 5 give up the Super Bowl LIII halftime show gig in support of Colin Kaepernick.
The petition is being delivered to Maroon 5’s talent agency in Beverly Hills, California, on Monday, a Change.org spokesperson said in a press release.
It was started in the wake of a report in October that Rihanna was offered the halftime show, but turned it down because she supported Kaepernick and the anthem kneeling protests of police brutality against people of color.
Vic Oyedeji, the petition’s creator, decided that Adam Levine and his band should offer the same support.
“Maroon 5 has made music over the years featuring artists from all genres, including Rihanna, Cardi B and Kendrick Lamar — all of whom have publicly supported Kaepernick in his decision to protest the violent racism sweeping the United States. Maroon 5 must do the same,” Oyedeji wrote on the petition’s home page.
“The band has a chance to stand on the right side of history,” Oyedeji argues. “If they don’t, they will be remembered for choosing to side with the NFL over its players.”
If Maroon 5 were to actually drop out of the show, it’s unclear whether Oyedeji would continue to protest whomever the NFL tapped as a replacement.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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