Singer MIA being sued by NFL for 2012 Super Bowl stunt

Singer M.I.A. is being quietly sued by the National Football League (NFL) for her performance during the 2012 Super Bowl. M.I.A. put up her middle finger in the middle of her performance. The NFL is suing the singer for $16.6 million for "restitution."  M.I.A. made an guest appearance in singer Madonna's performance.

The Paper Planes singer reportedly caused about 222 complaints to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

reported > 222 complaints for entire broadcast including adds in 2012 superbowl. pic.twitter.com/4qK7piFNMh

— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) March 17, 2014

The singer has been fighting the past two years to avoid paying the costly lawsuit.  Rolling Stone reported that the NFL originally sought out $1.5 million but the additional $15 million is for advertising dollars lost because of the Super Bowl stunt.  The NFL has attempted to divvy up her income for the year in order "make an example out of" the singer, according to M.I.A.

THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT ME TO SIGN , THAT IVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR 2 YEARS ON TOP OF 16 MILLION pic.twitter.com/PMurD3oVFL — M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) March 17, 2014

The suit between the NFL and M.I.A. comes after numerous dramas in the press about NFL players.  However, the players are not being sued for defaming the organization.  Former NFL player Darren Sharper has been charged with rape in the state of California.  CNN reports that Sharper allegedly drugged and raped two women.  Sharper was arrested on Jan. 17 but was released on $200,000.00 bail.  Prosecutors hoped to raise his bail to $10 million, but Judge Renee Korn raised his bail to $1 million.  The prosecutor has said that Sharper is "a danger to women."

According to Crave Online, there have been several NFL players who have faced murder charges.  Robert Rozier, one of the five named in the article, admitted to having killed or helped kill seven people.  Rozier committed his crimes under the command of Yahweh Ben Yahweh, the leader of the Nation of Yahweh (a black supremacist, religious movement).  Yahweh and his followers were charged with at least 14 murders.

The NFL and its fans certainly cannot forget player Michael Vick, who served time in federal prison for his part in a dogfighting ring.

Check out the 2012 Super Bowl performance for yourself and be the judge. Do you think MIA should pony up the cash? Do you think Madonna should help her co-performer out? Or do you think the NFL should back down because their reputation is already being challenged by its own players?

Let us know in the comments below.