OFF BEAT: M.I.A. fingered for fines from Super Bowl salute

Contract indemnification language means M.I.A. will get stuck with any fines NBC incurs for the British singer’s middle-finger salute during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show, reports say.

Ever since Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction during the 2004 Super Bowl, television networks carrying the game require halftime performers to sign contracts containing language holding them financially responsible for inappropriate antics, according to one news report.

But a TMZ story says M.I.A. signed a contract with the National Football League, agreeing to indemnify the NFL for money it would have to pay the peacock network for any Federal Communications Commission fines levied against NBC.

The argument there is that the NFL hired and produced the halftime show, so the league should be responsible.

Either contract arrangement would leave M.I.A. on the hook for a fine.

But reports say the publicity M.I.A. receives for her indecent gesture could be worth much more than any fine.

The Super Bowl reportedly drew a record 111 million viewers, which made it the most-watched TV program in U.S. history.

The Janet Jackson wardrobe issue resulted in a $550,000 fine for CBS, but a federal appeals court threw it out.

In case you haven’t heard by now, M.I.A. appeared in the halftime show alongside Madonna and flipped the bird directly at a camera while performing “Give Me All Your Luvin.’”