NFL Commissioner Stands Firm on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

The NFL will not reconsider its decision to feature Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the Super Bowl LX halftime show, according to Commissioner Roger Goodell. During a news conference on Wednesday, Goodell affirmed the choice of the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist, which has sparked criticism, notably from U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

Goodell addressed the controversy following the league’s annual fall owners meeting. This is the first time he has publicly commented since the announcement made in late September, which received widespread attention and resulted in an increase in streaming of Bad Bunny’s music alongside the backlash. “It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell stated. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism.”

The 31-year-old artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been outspoken against Trump and his policies. He previously chose to perform a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding the mainland U.S. due to concerns regarding mass deportations of Latinos. Bad Bunny is expected to perform primarily in Spanish during the Super Bowl.

“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell remarked, noting that additional talent may be included in the lineup alongside Bad Bunny. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”

The Super Bowl LX is set to take place on February 8, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. While it remains uncertain if Trump will attend, he has made appearances at significant sporting events a hallmark of his second term. In a recent interview on the conservative news network Newsmax, Trump expressed unfamiliarity with Bad Bunny, stating, “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy.”

Goodell defended the NFL’s choice, emphasizing Bad Bunny’s global popularity. “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” he said. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”

In addition to the halftime show discussion, Goodell addressed other matters during the meeting. He confirmed the NFL’s stance on the controversial “tush push” quarterback sneak. Following a narrow failure to ban the play in the spring, Goodell reported that there has been minimal discussion on the matter among team owners. “We don’t have any proposals to bring it back up,” he said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if something does evolve. But it’s not something we’re really focused on during the season.”

On the topic of replay reviews, Goodell noted that game times have actually decreased during the first seven weeks of the season despite a rise in kick returns due to a recent adjustment. “That’s quite remarkable when you add the number of kickoffs,” he commented.

Goodell also mentioned his discussions with interim Players Association executive director David White regarding potential collective bargaining topics, including the possibility of an 18-game regular season. He stated that formal discussions on this issue would await the union’s selection of a long-term leader. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the end of the 2031 league year.

As the NFL looks ahead, Goodell indicated that plans are underway for the Super Bowls following the 2028 and 2029 seasons, with an announcement expected next year.