NFL Commissioner: Controversial Super Bowl singer not being reconsidered

The NFL is not reconsidering its decision to feature Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Oct. 22, dismissing harsh criticism of the choice. 

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell told reporters at a news conference. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist 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.”

The 31-year-old performer, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been outspoken against President Donald Trump and his immigration policies. Earlier this month, he accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of targeting Latinos and announced a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding tour stops in the mainland U.S. over what he called mass deportation concerns, according to NFL News.

“Look, those motherf——s are in these cars, RAV-4s,” he said in Spanish, saying that ICE agents were operating near Avenida Pontezuela in Carolina, a city east of Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, FOX News reported. “Sons of b——,” he added.

Several conservatives, including Trump himself, have condemned the NFL’s decision, with some calling for a boycott of the NFL. 

“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said in an interview with Newsmax’s Greg Kelly this month. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Defending the league’s choice Oct. 22, Goodell called Bad Bunny “one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”

The Super Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, hosted by the San Francisco 49ers.

In response to the controversy, Turning Point USA announced earlier this month that it will host an “All American Halftime Show” during the Super Bowl, offering an alternative event for fans opposed to the NFL’s choice. 

“It’s true, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce The All American Halftime Show,” the organization wrote on X. “Performers and event details coming soon.”

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