REVEALED: Rock legends ‘turned down $20 million offer to headline AFL final’ before Katy Perry earned $5 million for the sporting spectacle
One of the world’s most iconic rock bands has reportedly turned down an eye-watering $20 million offer to headline the AFL Grand Final’s pre-game entertainment.
Instead, organizers turned to pop superstar Katy Perry, who took home $5 million to wow audiences with a spectacular performance at the MCG on Saturday.
AFL bosses are said to be keen to secure The Rolling Stones – made up of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood – for the highly sought-after headline position.
The rock icons, who recently embarked on a successful US tour to promote their latest album Hackney Diamonds, would have been a dream act for the AFL finals.
However, negotiations reportedly hit a roadblock when the AFL balked at the high price tag for the short 20-minute headliner.
Ultimately, the decision saved the organizers a huge $15 million, as Perry was reportedly signed for a relatively modest $5 million – although the Aussies were still shocked by the multi-million dollar payment.
Radio presenter Ross Stevenson shed light on the negotiations, telling 3AW listeners: ‘A very senior source at the AFL told me they had asked the Stones… $20 million for four songs.
“That was the asking price, and the AFL just couldn’t meet it.”
One of the world’s most iconic rock bands, The Rolling Stones, has reportedly turned down an eye-watering $20 million offer to headline the AFL’s pre-game entertainment
Instead, organizers turned to pop superstar Katy Perry, who took home $5 million to wow audiences with a spectacular performance at the MCG on Saturday
This isn’t the first time the AFL has tried and failed to secure a global megastar for the grand final.
Last year there were reports that Bruce Springsteen had turned down a lucrative offer to play the pre-game show, leaving organizers struggling to find a replacement.
Instead, international rock ‘n’ roll giants KISS headlined the Australian sports speculator in an energetic performance.
Perry’s 20-minute AFL Grand Final set included two songs from her latest album 143, Lifetimes and Beautiful, her collaboration with Kim Petras, after reports she had been restricted to just one new song by AFL bosses.
AFL bosses were said to be keen to secure The Rolling Stones – made up of Mick Jagger (pictured), Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood – for the coveted headline position
Despite the new songs being thrown in, it was the hits that got the crowd pumping as Katy got going with a rendition of Roar before unleashing her hits Teenage Dreams, Dark Horse and Firework.
Katy also performed a rendition of I Kissed A Girl with Tina Arena before the pair moved into a rendition of the Australian pop star’s hit Chains.
But she caused surprise with her setlist by not singing Hot n Cold, despite it being known as the MasterChef Australia theme song and jokingly regarded by many as the true Aussie ‘anthem’.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the AFL and Rolling Stones for comment.
