Madonna and Sports

SI Staff | Dec 5, 2011

Madonna and Sports /

Madonna and Sports

On Sunday, the rumors became official as the NFL confirmed that Madonna will play the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI on February 5. Here is a look at the connection between the pop singer and sports. In 1992, Madonna landed the role of outfielder Mae Mordabito in A League of Their Own , directed by Penny Marshall. She also composed the movie's theme song, This Used to be My Playground . The film reached No. 1 in the box office and made over $100 million.

Before filming began, Madonna had to learn how to play baseball. In this photo, the singer works on her baseball skills during a summer in Chicago.

Prior to A League Of Their Own , Madonna's only baseball experience was playing the role of interviewer to Randy Quaid (dressed as Cardinals pitcher Joaquin Andujar) during a November 1985 episode of Saturday Night Live.

In 1994, Madonna started dating Spurs forward Dennis Rodman, which made the former Pistons star an easy target for fans. The relationship lasted just two months.

Madonna takes in Game 4 of the 1994 NBA Finals with Magic Johnson and friend Ingrid Casares.

Madonna and Muhammad Ali attend the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's annual dinner in 1995.

Madonna can't get enough of the Knicks, as she attends another game at Madison Square Garden and talks to the team's No. 1 fan, Spike Lee.

Madonna jogs in London's Green Park under the watchful eyes of her bodyguards in this 1997 photo.

In 2008, rumors spread that Madonna was dating Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who had just divorced his wife. Though the two never publicly confirmed a romance, fans still heckled A-Rod.

Madonna enjoys her seat along the third base line during a 2008 Reds-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium.

Madonna's night at the ballpark was soon ruined by the rain. In this photo, she tries to keep her son David dry as the duo is escorted out of the stadium.

Madonna enters a 2009 taping of Late Show with David Letterman while riding on the hockey sticks of the New York Rangers, who delivered the "Top Ten List" for the broadcast.

Madonna is so big in Toledo, Ohio, that the Mudhens named their mascot after the pop superstar.

Madonna cuts the ribbon to officially open the Hard Candy Fitness gym in Mexico City.

Published Dec 5, 2011

SI STAFF