Last year SB Nation brought you the news that Madonna would be performing at halftime of the 2012 Super Bowl and it appears Van Halen is trying to scoop us on the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show beat.

Apparently, there were rumors going around that Van Halen would be playing next year's Super Bowl in New Orleans, but David Lee Roth published an open letter explaining that, while they haven't been offered the gig, they'd "accept in a NY minute."

An Open Letter

I'm compelled to address the now-rampant rumors that Van Halen is playing the Superbowl. First of all let me say this - be still my pigskin heart. That honor has not been bestowed upon us at this time though it is one we would accept in a NY minute.

Having heard VH blaring through stadium speakers on any given Sunday - more like every given Sunday, the idea of playing there live would be like - 'okay, now we're in the game'.

Van Halen's collective memories are - and with all due respect to each and every one of these memories, teeming with been-theres and done-that's, but none include playing at the Superbowl. Playing at the Superbowl is a veritable holy grail of musical recognition, a highly prized rite of passage for (game-changing) artists. Not a spiritual rite with snake pits or Hebrew school or anything, but it's up there.

We are not on Commissioner Goodell's dance card at this time, but we would be most honored to dance the halftime away in New Orleans.

It's an honor to be considered and for that we would like to thank the rumormongers all over the World Wide Web.

- D-Ro

So... Van Halen at the 2013 Super Bowl.