According to the VAN HALEN News Desk, despite rumors and speculation that Van Halen could perform at the Super Bowl halftime show next year, the NFL has decided to go with BEYONCÉ, The Associated Press reports. An official announcement is expected Wednesday. Over 100 million viewers are expected to tune in to watch Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on February 3rd, 2013.

Van Halen was clearly the people’s choice, however. In ESPN’s own poll, a full two-thirds of the 150,000 unique voters voted for Van Halen to perform.

This past July, Van Halen's David Lee Roth issued an open letter (through the Van Halen News Desk) regarding the rampant rumors that they will play the Superbowl next year:

"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 rumor-mongers all over the World Wide Web."