🔗 Share this article

America's top football league has no plans to drop Bad Bunny as the star attraction for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated on Wednesday.

In doing so, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to feature 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 annual fall owners meeting. This marks the first time he has publicly remarked on the appointment, which has attracted global interest, including a rise in online plays of the artist's catalog alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I doubt we have chosen an performer where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of Trump. He recently decided to do a 31-day residency in his homeland, avoiding stops in the mainland US, referencing concerns about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

The 31-year-old, who sings in Spanish, is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell commented. “He is aware of the opportunity that he’s on, and in my view it will prove thrilling and a united moment.”

The host team are hosting the Super Bowl on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if the former president intends to be there, although he has made appearing in person at high-profile games a significant part of his second term.

Trump in an interview on right-leaning media Newsmax said he had “never heard of” the performer.

“I don’t know his identity,” he stated. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to an outside booker they hired to select talent. In my opinion it’s completely unreasonable.”

Goodell supported the decision this week, clarifying it was made because of the artist’s massive fanbase.

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