NFL Stands Firm on Bad Bunny Halftime Show Performance Amid Trump Backlash

America's top football league will not drop the global music icon as the headline performer for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated on Wednesday.

With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the choice to place the internationally acclaimed singer on the most-watched platform, a move that drew criticism from the former president and his political base.

Goodell commented on the debate during his media briefing following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the initial instance he has spoken out on the selection, which has attracted global interest, including a surge in streams of the artist's catalog alongside opposition.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell remarked. “I doubt we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have pushback or disapproval. It’s challenging to do when you have literally countless viewers of people that are watching.”

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

The 31-year-old, who performs primarily in his native language, is anticipated to continue this at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it’s going to be a spectacular performance,” the NFL commissioner commented. “He is aware of the platform that he’s on, and in my view it’s going to be thrilling and a united moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the championship game on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. There is uncertainty if Trump plans to attend, although he has turned appearing in person at major sporting events a key aspect of his current presidency.

Trump in an interview on conservative news network Newsmax said he had “never heard of” the performer.

“I don’t know who he is,” Trump stated. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to an outside booker they hired to select talent. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The commissioner defended the decision this week, clarifying it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the leading and best-loved entertainers in the world,” he said. “That’s what we try to accomplish. It’s an important platform for us. It serves as a key component to the overall experience.”