NFL Remains Resolute on Puerto Rican Superstar Halftime Show Appearance Amid Trump Criticism
The NFL will not drop the global music icon as the headline performer for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated on Wednesday.
In doing so, Goodell stood by the choice to place the Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew criticism from the former president and his political base.
Goodell addressed the debate during his media briefing following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the first time he has spoken out on the appointment, which has attracted global interest, including a rise in streams of the artist's catalog alongside opposition.
“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we have chosen an artist where we avoided pushback or disapproval. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of fans that are watching.”
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of Trump. He lately opted to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, skipping stops in the mainland US, referencing concerns about the mass deportation of Hispanic individuals.
The artist, who sings in Spanish, is expected to continue this at the Super Bowl.
“We believe it will deliver a spectacular performance,” the NFL commissioner commented. “He understands the opportunity that he has, and in my view it’s going to be thrilling and a united moment.”
The host team are staging the championship game on 8 February at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if the former president intends to attend, though he has turned physical attendance at major sporting events a key aspect of his current presidency.
Trump in an interview on right-leaning media the outlet claimed he had “never heard of” the performer.
“I don’t know his identity,” Trump stated. “I can’t comprehend the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. Additionally, they attribute it to an outside booker they contracted to pick up talent. In my opinion it’s completely unreasonable.”
The commissioner supported the choice this week, explaining it was determined because of the artist’s immense popularity.
“He’s one of the top and best-loved performers in the world,” he affirmed. “That’s what we try to achieve. It represents a crucial platform for us. It serves as a key component to the entertainment value.”