🔗 Share this article

The NFL has no plans to drop Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday.

In doing so, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to place the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew negative reactions from Donald Trump and his political base.

Goodell addressed the debate during his news conference following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the initial instance he has publicly remarked on the appointment, which has garnered global interest, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside opposition.

“The decision was thoroughly considered,” the commissioner remarked. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or disapproval. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of Trump. He recently opted to do a month-long concert series in his homeland, skipping performances in the continental United States, citing concerns about the mass deportation of Hispanic individuals.

The 31-year-old, who sings primarily in his native language, is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We’re confident it will deliver 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 exciting and a unifying moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are staging the championship game on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if Trump intends to attend, though he has made appearing in person at major sporting events a key aspect of his current presidency.

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

“I’m unfamiliar with his identity,” Trump stated. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. Additionally, they attribute it to some promoter they hired to select entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Goodell defended the decision on Wednesday, clarifying it was made because of the artist’s massive fanbase.

“He ranks among the leading and most popular performers in the world,” Goodell affirmed. “This is exactly what we try to accomplish. It represents a crucial stage for the league. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”