Another Week, Another Rumor

The fallout from the Steven-Tyler-leaving-Aerosmith gossip having been largely disposed of, we can now turn our attention to the latest unconfirmed rumors that are being reported as fact.

It isn't at all unusual at this time of year for the identity of the next Super Bowl halftime performer to be leaked, ahead of an official announcement. What is unusual is the response to this year's leak.

No sooner had Sports Illustrated "reported" that The Who would entertain us in the middle of Super Bowl XLIV in Miami February 7 than the principals (the band and the NFL) started issuing non-denial denials.

From The Who: "Rumors circulating that The Who are going to play at the Superbowl in Miami in February are pure speculation."

From the NFL: "When we have something to announce, we'll announce it."

Notice that neither actually denies that The Who will perform. Rather, they seem to be suggesting that they'd prefer not having their thunder stolen by having the fact become known in a way that kills any drama that might attach to the eventual "official" announcement.

Given that Super Bowl halftime has, in recent years, become something of a classic rock enclave (Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty) The Who would be a logical choice. And the high profile exposure certainly wouldn't hurt at a time when Pete Townsend is busy working on a new rock opera and Roger Daltrey is in the midst of a solo tour.

SI, attributing the tip to "a source" (hey, who needs journalistic integrity in a sports magazine, right?) set off a wave of "The Who will perform" headlines from the likes of Reuters (hey, who needs journalistic integrity in a news organization, right?)

I'll be very surprised if The Who don't perform at the Super Bowl. I'll be even more surprised if there's any lessening of the trend for rumor and gossip being touted as fact.

^{Photo by Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images}