The NFL isn’t backing down from its Super Bowl halftime choice.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear that the league remains fully committed to having Bad Bunny headline next year’s Super Bowl halftime show — despite backlash from the Trump administration and some conservative critics.
“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. That’s what we try to achieve,” Goodell told reporters on Wednesday, per The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value, and it’s carefully thought through. I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback and criticism. It’s pretty hard to do.”
The Puerto Rican superstar, known for hits like “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Moscow Mule,” was announced as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in September — a decision that immediately generated both excitement and controversy. But Goodell made it clear the league stands behind the choice, emphasizing that Bad Bunny’s global influence and cultural reach make him a perfect fit for the NFL’s biggest stage.
While the halftime show is set to center on the Grammy-winning artist, Goodell teased that there could still be surprises in store. “The show will evolve from here,” he said, hinting that additional performers may join Bad Bunny onstage. “I am not saying that there won’t be additional talent that might be involved, but that’s always the way it works.”
The commissioner pointed to past Super Bowl performances that featured multiple guest stars, such as Usher’s 2024 halftime show with Alicia Keys, Ludacris and Lil Jon, and Kendrick Lamar’s 2023 set with SZA, Serena Williams and Samuel L. Jackson.
Bad Bunny, 30, previously reacted to the massive honor with pride and gratitude, calling the opportunity “bigger than myself.” “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” he said in a statement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown. This is for my people, my culture and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el Halftime Show del Super Bowl.”
Despite the controversy, Goodell expressed confidence that the show will be one for the books. “We’re confident it’s going to be a good show,” he added. “He understands the platform that he is on, and I think it’s going to be an exciting and uniting moment.”
