🔗 Share this article

The NFL will not drop the global music icon as the star attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show, League chief Roger Goodell stated this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the decision to place the Puerto Rican artist on the most-watched platform, a move that drew negative reactions from the former president and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on the controversy during his news conference 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 Bad Bunny’s music alongside opposition.

“The decision was thoroughly considered,” the commissioner remarked. “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 literally countless viewers of fans tuning in.”

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of the former leader. He lately decided to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, skipping stops in the continental United States, citing concerns about the expulsion of Latinos.

The artist, who sings primarily in his native language, is anticipated to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it’s going to be a great show,” the NFL commissioner commented. “He is aware of the opportunity that he has, and in my view it’s going to be thrilling and a unifying moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are staging the championship game on February 8 at the Santa Clara venue in the Bay Area. There is uncertainty if the former president plans to be there, although he has turned physical attendance at major sporting events a key aspect of his current presidency.

The political figure during a discussion on right-leaning media the outlet said he had “no knowledge of” Bad Bunny.

“I’m unfamiliar with who he is,” Trump said. “I can’t comprehend why they’re doing it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to an outside booker they hired to pick up talent. I think it’s completely unreasonable.”

Goodell supported the choice this week, explaining it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the leading and best-loved performers globally,” he said. “This is exactly what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for the league. It’s an important component to the entertainment value.”