The football league sought $16.6 million in arbitration Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup/APImages After more than three years, a dispute over M.I.A. 's halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI has been resolved. When the singer extended her middle finger during her performance Feb. 5, 2012, the National Football League took her to arbitration with claims of breaching her contract and tarnishing the league's goodwill and reputation. The 38-year-old M.I.A. (born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam ) put up a defense that ridiculed the football league for even claiming wholesomeness. The NFL later asserted $16.6 million in damages for what the singer did before 167 million TV viewers. The league wanted $15.1 million of that amount for restitution as the alleged value of public exposure she received by appearing for an approximately two-minute segment during Madonna 's performance. The assessment of damages was challenged in arbitration in light ...