NFL Stands Firm on Bad Bunny Super Bowl Appearance Despite Trump Criticism

The NFL has no plans to drop Bad Bunny as the star attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the decision to place the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that sparked negative reactions from the former president and his political base.

Goodell addressed the debate during his media briefing following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the first time he has publicly remarked on the selection, which has attracted worldwide attention, including a rise in streams of the artist's catalog alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we have chosen an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or disapproval. It’s challenging to do when you have truly countless viewers of people tuning in.”

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of the former leader. He lately decided to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, skipping stops in the continental United States, referencing concerns about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

The artist, who performs in Spanish, is expected to do so at the big game.

“We’re confident it will deliver a great show,” Goodell said. “He is aware of the platform that he’s on, and in my view it will prove thrilling and a unifying experience.”

The host team are staging the Super Bowl on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in the Bay Area. There is uncertainty if Trump plans to attend, although he has turned appearing in person at major sporting events a key aspect of his second term.

Trump in an interview on right-leaning media Newsmax said he had “no knowledge of” the performer.

“I don’t know his identity,” Trump stated. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. And then, they blame it on an outside booker they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s completely unreasonable.”

The commissioner defended the choice on Wednesday, clarifying it was determined because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the leading and best-loved performers in the world,” Goodell said. “This is exactly what we aim to achieve. It’s an important stage for the league. It’s an important component to the overall experience.”