If you thought the Super Bowl was only about football and flashy halftime shows, 50 Cent just reminded viewers that it’s also prime real estate for settling old scores.
During Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, the rapper-turned-mogul appeared in a high-budget commercial for DoorDash titled “The Big Beef.” On the surface, the ad played with the idea of delivering “beef” — both food and drama. But longtime fans immediately spotted what they believe was a subliminal jab aimed squarely at his longtime rival, Floyd Mayweather Jr..
The moment that set social media ablaze? A children’s alphabet book pulled casually from a delivery bag, held up with a knowing smirk.
A Decade-Old Joke, Reheated
The reference appears to call back to a viral 2014 social media stunt in which 50 Cent publicly challenged Mayweather to read a page from a Harry Potter book aloud in exchange for a charity donation. The implication — widely debated and frequently mocked online — centered around Mayweather’s reading ability.
By slipping an ABC book into a Super Bowl ad reportedly costing upwards of $7 million for a 30-second slot, 50 Cent seemed to resurrect that old joke on the biggest advertising stage in America.
Fans didn’t miss it.
Within minutes of the ad airing, clips circulated across X and TikTok, with viewers dissecting every prop. “He can’t read the menu” began trending, as audiences connected the literacy-themed visual to the boxer.
More Than One Target
Mayweather wasn’t the only figure seemingly referenced in the ad.
-
A literal pack of combs paired with cheese puffs was interpreted as a nod toward Sean “Diddy” Combs.
-
A bottle of 50’s Branson Cognac labeled as aged “50 months” raised eyebrows among fans who viewed it as layered commentary.
-
An alarm clock appeared alongside the line “I’m always on time,” which some read as a playful jab at longtime rival Ja Rule.
While none of the references were explicit, the pattern felt intentional — especially to followers familiar with 50 Cent’s history of highly publicized feuds.
The Art of Petty Marketing
In a statement tied to the campaign, 50 leaned into the theme: “Delivering quality beef is more of an art than a science.”
For the rapper, controversy has long doubled as marketing strategy. From music rivalries to television ventures, he has built a brand around confrontation and calculated humor.
Industry analysts noted a sharp spike in online engagement following the commercial’s debut, with mentions of both 50 Cent and DoorDash surging within 24 hours.
A Feud That Refuses to Fade
The rivalry between 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather has simmered for more than a decade — sometimes flaring publicly, sometimes lying dormant. Sunday’s ad suggests the tension remains useful, at the very least, as entertainment currency.
Whether Mayweather responds remains to be seen. Historically, neither man has shied away from verbal sparring.
But one thing is certain: 50 Cent turned a multimillion-dollar corporate ad buy into a personal roast — proving once again that when it comes to “beef,” he doesn’t just deliver it.
He packages it, brands it, and drops it during the biggest broadcast of the year.