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The NFL has no plans to remove Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the prestigious mid-game entertainment, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to place the Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage, a move that sparked criticism from Donald Trump and his political base.

Goodell commented on the controversy during his news conference following the league's autumn gathering. This marks the initial instance he has spoken out on the appointment, which has garnered worldwide attention, including a rise in online plays of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we avoided pushback or disapproval. It’s challenging to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of people tuning in.”

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of the former leader. He lately opted to do a 31-day residency in his homeland, avoiding performances in the continental United States, referencing apprehensions about the expulsion of Latinos.

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 is aware of the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be thrilling and a unifying experience.”

The San Francisco 49ers are staging the championship game on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in the Bay Area. There is uncertainty if Trump plans to attend, although he has turned physical attendance at major sporting events a key aspect of his second term.

The political figure in an interview on conservative news network the outlet said he had “never heard of” the performer.

“I don’t know his identity,” Trump stated. “I can’t comprehend why they’re doing it. It seems absurd. And then, they attribute it to an outside booker they contracted to select entertainment. In my opinion it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The commissioner defended the choice this week, explaining it was made because of the artist’s massive fanbase.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers globally,” Goodell said. “That’s what we try to accomplish. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important component to the overall experience.”