FUSE TV - NFL Wants M.I.A. to Pay $1.5 Million for Super Bowl Middle Finger

Remember when M.I.A. flipped the bird at the Super Bowl last year during Madonna's Halftime Show and it was a "controversy" for about five seconds? It wasn't all that shocking. Even the FCC—who freaked out and fined CBS half a million for Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction in 2004—didn't care enough to take legal action. 

But apparently the NFL—that stalwart moral guardian of America—was so scandalized by M.I.A.'s behavior that they're seeking $1.5 million for "breaching her performance contract and tarnishing [the NFL's] goodwill and reputation," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Although the NFL announced they intend to give the money to charity—which would make the fine seemingly punitive in intention—M.I.A.'s lawyer told THR their legal complaint is hinged on the argument that her action was diametrically opposed to the NFL's otherwise "wholesome" image.

If you see the NFL as a wholesome organization, you obviously stopped paying attention to pro football sometime around the year 1959. Either that or you think an organization that continues to employ people famous for hosting vicious dog fights or claiming someone's life while driving drunk (and getting off with 24 days in jail) is a "family-friendly" corporate brand.

So that end, M.I.A.'s lawyer, Howard King, is asking the public for help. "We encourage people to submit their examples of how the actions of the NFL, its stars, coaches, advertisers, broadcasters, team doctors and owners have damaged or destroyed any vestiges of any reputation for wholesomeness ever enjoyed by the NFL," King told THR. "These submissions can be made to the M.I.A defense team by email to NFL@khpblaw.com."

You'd think the words "O.J. Simpson" would do the trick, right?

Anyway, stay tuned for the NFL to freak out when the realize the lights went out after Beyonce's show and decide to fine her sometime in Autumn of 2014.