I have no idea what's in the contract language, but if there's a hook for the NFL to sue CBS over this, I'll bet they do it, just so it's real clear that they did not want this, and that they'll sue the next guy too, if it ever happens again.
Just because you're out of the loop when it comes to pop culture, it doesn't mean the NFL is.
The NFL knew exactly what they were getting when they allowed MTV to put on the half-time show.
For CBS, MTV or the NFL to now feign shock and outrage is specious on it's face.
The whole thing is laughable.
Yes and no. There is probably some 30-ish under-assistant West Coast promo man whose job was to work that end of it with CBS, and that person probably briefed the senior management of what was in the show. Which briefing consisted of some PowerPoint slides with the names of the entertainers, and what their credentials were to be Super Bowl headliners, and very little else.
Did this guy tell Paul Tagliabue in advance, "And at the end, there will be a costume reveal in which Janet Jackson bares her breast"? I don't believe it. My hunch is that the only comments from management concerned the risk that Michael's stink could somehow rub off on his sister, and hence on them. I'll bet Mr. Promo Man was told specifically to get CBS' assurances that nothing like that could possibly happen. Instead they get this. I'll bet Tagliabue was royally pissed. Viacom burned his Super Bowl to sell Jackson's upcoming record. That's not something friends do to each other.