Skip Bayless claims NFL sent 'apology letter' to Lil Wayne last year over Super Bowl halftime snub
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: The National Football League (NFL) reportedly apologized to Lil Wayne after choosing Kendrick Lamar over him for the Super Bowl halftime show, says sportscaster Skip Bayless.
The 42-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, was not picked for this year's halftime show in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9, despite him being a native of Louisiana.
On top of that, Lamar’s show did not do anything extraordinary as he was slammed for his underwhelming performance, which was reportedly dubbed “the worst halftime show ever.”
Skip Bayless claims the NFL apologized to Lil Wayne
Now, Daily Mail citing sports commentator Skip Bayless reported that Lil Wayne allegedly received a letter from the NFL in September, 2024, after making the offer to Kendrick.
Bayless, who is close to the ‘Love Me’ singer, shared on his YouTube show, “The NFL immediately sent Wayne a letter of apology. From nobody in particular, just from the league on NFL letterhead.”
He continued, “A letter that thanked him for his years of supporting the league, not just the Packers, his favorite team, but supporting and promoting the NFL, in general, which he has.”
“I mean, he makes weekly appearances on the NFL's Sunday pregame show, 'NFL GameDay Morning' on the NFL Network. But he will not play Sunday's halftime show, and he definitely won't watch a second of Sunday's halftime show,” Bayless stated, before asserting, “He will watch the game, just not the halftime show. Not one second.
In a recent episode of 'The Skip Bayless Show', the broadcaster talked about the NFL's decision to overlook Lil Wayne. Bayless even floated a conspiracy about Jay-Z, who "runs the entertainment department of the NFL."
According to Bayless, Wayne's close ties to Drake, who had been feuding with Lamar could have possibly been one of the reasons for the NFL's refusal.
Skip Bayless chose not to watch Super Bowl 2025
The 73-year-old sports columnist also revealed on his show that Lil Wayne found it hard to cope with the snub. “He didn't feel like doing much of anything for several long days and nights. He's better now,” he added.
Bayless further expressed his anger in a tweet ahead of the game night. He posted, “I AM NOT WATCHING THIS HALFTIME SHOW, OUT OF RESPECT FOR MY BROTHER LIL WAYNE, WHO OBVIOUSLY SHOULD BE PLAYING IN HIS HOMETOWN OF NEW ORLEANS. THIS IS JUST SO WRONG.”
I AM NOT WATCHING THIS HALFTIME SHOW, OUT OF RESPECT FOR MY BROTHER LIL WAYNE, WHO OBVIOUSLY SHOULD BE PLAYING IN HIS HOMETOWN OF NEW ORLEANS. THIS IS JUST SO WRONG.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 10, 2025
Lil Wayne claimed NFL snub ‘hurt a whole lot’
Meanwhile, Lil Wayne shared his dismay via an Instagram Live stream. He said, “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for just automatically mentally putting myself in that position.”
“I thought there was nothing better than that spot, that stage, that platform, in my city. So it hurt, it hurt a whole lot,” the rapper added.
Also on February 5, via his Instagram Story, he reportedly said, “Y’all know I’m not going to be there this week, which means I guess there’s a seat to fill. Shout out to New Orleans, but I’ve been working on something very special. I got something exciting coming for you Thursday, the 6th. Until then… I’m chillin’.”
