The National Football League Stands Firm on Puerto Rican Superstar Halftime Show Performance Amid Political Backlash
The NFL will not remove the global music icon as the star attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday.
With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the choice to feature the Puerto Rican artist on the most-watched platform, a move that sparked criticism 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 appointment, which has attracted worldwide attention, including a rise in online plays of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.
“It’s carefully thought through,” the commissioner remarked. “I’m not sure we have chosen an artist where we didn’t have pushback or disapproval. It’s challenging to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of fans tuning in.”
The reggaeton star, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of Trump. He lately opted to hold a month-long concert series in his homeland, avoiding stops in the mainland US, referencing concerns about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.
The 31-year-old, who sings primarily in his native language, is expected to continue this at the Super Bowl.
“We believe it’s going to be a spectacular performance,” Goodell said. “He understands the opportunity that he has, and in my view it’s going to be thrilling and a united moment.”
The host team are hosting the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, although he has made physical attendance at high-profile games a significant part of his current presidency.
Trump in an interview on right-leaning media the outlet said he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.
“I’m unfamiliar with who he is,” Trump stated. “I can’t comprehend the reasoning behind it. It’s, like, crazy. And then, they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up talent. In my opinion it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Goodell supported the decision this week, clarifying it was determined because of the artist’s immense popularity.
“He ranks among the top and best-loved performers globally,” Goodell said. “This is exactly what we aim to achieve. It represents a crucial platform for us. It’s an important element to the overall experience.”
