Bad Bunny will perform during the halftime show of the 60th Super Bowl in February 2026. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has now commented on the heated debate.

In the US, the appointment of Bad Bunny as the halftime show act at the Super Bowl is still causing unease in certain circles.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has now commented for the first time on the controversy surrounding the decision to choose the Puerto Rican artist.

“This has been carefully thought through. I’m not sure we’ve ever chosen an artist who hasn’t received any negative reactions or criticism. That’s pretty difficult when literally hundreds of millions of people are watching,” the 66-year-old emphasized at a press conference during the NFL’s fall meeting.

“We are confident that it will be a great show. He is aware of the platform he has, and I think it will be exciting and a unifying moment,” Goodell continued.

Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl: Petition calls for new Super Bowl halftime show

Previously, a petition was even launched calling for a change of plan.

Instead of the rapper, 73-year-old country singer George Strait should perform at halftime.

“George Strait, known as the ‘King of Country,’ embodies the heart and soul of American music. With over 60 number one hits and more than 40 years in the music industry, George Strait is not only a legend in the country genre, but also an integral part of American music history,“ reads the petition on ”change.org,” among other things.

It continues: “His ability to transcend generations with his timeless songs appeals to a diverse audience and inspires both longtime fans and newcomers alike.”

Over 70,000 people have already signed. In the US, Bad Bunny’s appointment as the Super Bowl halftime act has now also become a political issue, especially among MAGA supporters.

Donald Trump is not enthusiastic about Bad Bunny

Turning Point USA, the right-wing organization founded by the late influencer Charlie Kirk, recently announced that it would offer a separate halftime show for Super Bowl LX.

President Donald Trump also called the choice of Bad Bunny “absolutely ridiculous,” although he admitted, “I’ve never heard of him.”

The Puerto Rican artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is one of the most listened to artists in the world, with over 100 billion (!) streams on Spotify.

After Drake and Taylor Swift, he is only the third artist (and the only Latin American) to break the 100 billion stream barrier.

Since 2019, the NFL Super Bowl halftime act has been selected by Jay Z’s company Roc Nation.