
At the end of the day, the Super Bowl is a time to celebrate some of the best pro football players in the world. However, it usually ends up being about a lot more than just what happens on the field. This year, Rihanna will make her grand return with a major halftime performance. In between possessions, fans will also have an opportunity to see new trailers for The Flash and Fast X. To top it all off, there was supposed to be an interview with President Joe Biden prior to the big game. With only a few hours left until game time, the interview appears to be up in the air.
“As we said earlier, we had arranged an interview with Fox Sports Host Mike Hill & Vivica A. Fox with the President ahead of the Super Bowl and Fox Corp had the interview canceled. FOX has since put out a statement indicating the interview was rescheduled, which is inaccurate,” a spokesperson for the White House stated on Friday night.
Over the last decade and change, it has become a tradition for the President to participate in a sit-down interview before the Super Bowl. President Barack Obama took part in the tradition throughout his time in office and President Joe Biden has done so during his first two years in office.
Initially, it appears Fox Corp. attempted to pitch the White House on the idea of sitting down for an interview with FOX News talent. However, it does not appear that the White House was interested in the opportunity.
“We offered an interview with our top news anchors with no strings attached. They’re walking away from a huge audience and it’s a major missed opportunity,” an anonymous FOX News executive told Variety on Friday
Shortly thereafter, the White House appeared to reach an agreement with FOX Soul, a digital television network and live streaming service geared to Black audiences.
“After the White House reached out to Fox Soul Thursday evening, there was some initial confusion. Fox Soul looks forward to interviewing the President for Super Bowl Sunday,” a statement from FOX Corp. reads.
By the end of the day, the deal fell apart. Just one day before the Super Bowl, it appears both sides have not yet come to an agreement.