NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed on Wednesday that the league is not considering removing Bad Bunny as the main artist for the halftime show of Super Bowl LX, to be held on February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The statement comes amid the controversy generated by the choice of the Puerto Rican artist, which has received criticism from President Donald Trump and some of his followers.
Goodell addressed the issue during his press conference following the fall meeting of the league’s team owners, marking the first time he has commented publicly on the controversy since the announcement of Bad Bunny’s involvement in late September.
The commissioner explained that the selection of the interpreter for Titi Asked Me and Monaco was the result of a deliberate and planned process. “It’s very well thought out,” Goodell told the media. “I don’t think we’ve ever selected a performer without receiving criticism. It’s pretty difficult when there are literally hundreds of millions of people watching.”
Goodell also noted that Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is currently one of the world’s most influential and popular artists, with a global fan base that transcends genres and languages. According to the commissioner, his participation in the event “represents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and unifying power of music”.
Bad Bunny, 31, has been recognized not only for his musical success – which includes multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards – but also for his political stances. The singer has repeatedly expressed his opposition to Donald Trump’s policies and his concern for the rights of the Latino community.
In recent years, he decided to undertake a 31-day artistic residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding performances in the continental United States, as a symbolic form of protest against the deportation of Latino immigrants.
Despite the controversies, Goodell insisted the league has full confidence in its choice. “We’re confident it will be a great show,” he said. “He understands the platform he’s on, and we think it’s going to be an exciting and unifying time.”
Bad Bunny at Super Bowl: “I don’t know who he is,” says Trump
President Donald Trump, for his part, expressed his disapproval in an interview with the conservative Newsmax channel, where he claimed to be unfamiliar with the Puerto Rican artist. “I’ve never heard of Bad Bunny. I don’t know who he is or why they do it. It’s crazy,” he declared.
Trump called the NFL’s decision “ridiculous” and claimed that the league was deflecting responsibility to the promoters in charge of organizing the halftime show. His statements add to a string of criticism from his supporters, who have questioned the political and cultural orientation of the performer’s selection.
Super Bowl LX will be one of the most watched sporting events of the year, with an estimated audience of more than 100 million viewers worldwide. The halftime show has evolved into one of the most important music platforms globally, which has featured artists such as Rihanna, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, The Weeknd and Beyoncé.
According to Goodell, the choice of Bad Bunny responds to the NFL’s strategy of connecting with younger and multicultural audiences, a key objective to maintain the event’s relevance in the current context of the entertainment industry.
In addition to the Super Bowl topic, Roger Goodell also talked about other sports issues. He took up the debate surrounding the play known as the “tush push,” a maneuver used with great success by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Goodell explained that while the action was the subject of discussion in the spring because of its complexity to referee, it is not currently on the formal review agenda. “It’s something we continue to monitor in all phases, just like any other aspect of the game,” he said.
The executive vice president of soccer operations, Troy Vincent, had already commented that the main difficulty with the play lies in its refereeing, which has prevented a definitive decision on its possible restriction.
Despite criticism, the NFL maintains its full support for Bad Bunny as the headlining halftime performer for Super Bowl LX. Roger Goodell reiterated that the league seeks to provide an inclusive, diverse and high-artistic spectacle. “It’s an important stage for us. It’s an essential element of the entertainment value we provide,” the commissioner concluded.
With his performance, Bad Bunny will become the first Latin artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show solo, a fact that has already generated expectations in the music industry and among fans around the world.
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