Goodell Affirms Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Wednesday that the league remains committed to having Bad Bunny perform during the Super Bowl LX halftime show. This decision comes amidst some controversies, notably comments from President Trump about the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist.

This was the first time Goodell discussed the choice of Bad Bunny, although he’s no stranger to facing backlash over performer selections. He explained that the selection process is always “carefully thought out,” adding that nearly every artist has faced some form of criticism. “It’s pretty tough to avoid when you have hundreds of millions of viewers,” he said.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has faced scrutiny, particularly from Trump and his supporters, due to his outspoken criticism of the current administration. The 31-year-old singer recently voiced his worries about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and chose not to include U.S. dates on his tour, fearing potential detentions at his concerts.

He mentioned last month, “There were issues like ICE could be outside my concert. That was something we were talking about and very concerned about.” Bad Bunny also shared footage on social media that seemed to document an ICE raid in Puerto Rico, expressing frustration about their actions in the community.

Some NFL fans have not only criticized Bad Bunny’s comments but also pointed out that all his major hits are in Spanish. But Goodell remains optimistic about the halftime show. “I’m sure it’s going to be a great show. He knows the platform he’s on, and I think it will be an exciting and unifying moment,” he remarked.

As for Trump, he claimed he had never heard of Bad Bunny until the Super Bowl announcement and remarked, “I don’t know why they would do that. It’s crazy.” Nonetheless, Goodell maintains that the choice aligns with the NFL’s entertainment goals.

In Goodell’s view, Bad Bunny is “one of the most popular and top-notch entertainers in the world.” This performance is envisioned as a significant step for the league, highlighting its commitment to entertainment as Bad Bunny prepares for the halftime show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.