The Australian Football League’s (AFL) decision to hire American rap icon Snoop Dogg for this year’s Grand Final halftime show has sparked a fierce debate. Critics are questioning the league’s commitment to its values, arguing that the rapper’s history of controversial lyrics conflicts with the AFL’s public pledge to respect women.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford offered a new perspective on the move, suggesting the performance is less about football and more about gaining publicity. According to the Daily Mail, Ford claims the decision is “directly related to this TV series which is being made by Amazon Prime all about the premiership season,” referring to a new AFL docuseries slated for release in 2026.
Ford believes that Snoop Dogg’s global profile will bring international attention to the documentary, even if it risks backlash. He said, “By having Snoop Dogg there, it will get international attention for the doco series. That’s why they were willing to bite the bullet and cop all the backlash.” The veteran journalist described the rapper as an “unusual choice,” noting that the AFL typically books artists with anthemic songs to fire up the crowd. He added that the league is “happy to carry the baggage” of Snoop’s controversial reputation in exchange for the exposure.
The upcoming Amazon Prime series, produced by the team behind F1: Drive to Survive and Tour de France: Unchained, will chronicle the 2025 AFL Premiership season and is expected to reach a global audience in 2026.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has defended the decision, stating that the $2 million deal reflects Snoop Dogg’s current status rather than past controversies. Last week, Dillon said, “We cannot vouch for every lyric in every song ever written or performed by any artist.”
The announcement continues to divide opinion, with some pundits—including former AFL star Brendan Fevola—predicting that Snoop might even be dropped in favor of a homegrown artist due to the ongoing public backlash.
